HONOLULU, Hawai`i ? The University of Idaho men's basketball team struggled in every phase of the game as Hawai`i avenged a 20-point loss earlier this season with a 71-49 victory Saturday night.

Idaho (10-12, 4-5) missed nine free throws, hit a season-low one 3-pointer, and was outrebounded 33-18 in its worst loss of the season to a non-ranked opponent. Hawai`i (12-11, 4-7) won its third game in its last four tries and its second-consecutive contest by 20 or more points.

“You have to give Hawai`i credit,” Idaho coach Don Verlin said. “There are good coaches in this league and good players in this league and when we go on the road we have to be on our game. We made way too many errors and weren't tough enough around the basket and once they got their rhythm going they (beat us) in every phase of the game. Some nights that is what happens and they came out tonight and dominated this basketball game.”

Marvin Jefferson led the Vandals with 11 points and Kashif Watson finished with 10 points with 6-of-7 free throws. No other player scored more than six points and no starter played more than 32 minutes. Idaho committed 17 turnovers with Hawai`i grabbing only six steals.

On the other side of the ball, Hawai`i did nearly everything right. The Rainbow Wahine hit 56-percent from the floor, 44-percent from beyond the 3-point line, and 77-percent from the free throw line. Hawai`i grabbed 12 offensive rebounds, but did turn the ball over 21 times.

Hawai`i scored the first eight points of the contest and Idaho went into the first media timeout without a score. The Vandals briefly made things interesting by pulling within 10-8 and 12-10, but Hawai`i continued to hold the margin. Idaho was again within two at 17-15 with 6:35 remaining, but the Rainbow Wahine scored the next six points and ended the half on an 11-2 run to build a 28-17 halftime lead.

Idaho again trailed by 11 with 15:58 remaining in the second half before Hawai`i used a 7-0 run to pull ahead 40-22. Idaho broke the run with a basket, but the Rainbow Wahine again scored seven unanswered points to push the margin over 20. The lead hit its largest margin at 57-28 with 7:12 and Idaho was only able to pull within 20 on two occasions before the 71-49 final.

Idaho returns home for two games next week as hosts to Utah State Thursday (Feb. 12) and San Jose State Saturday (Feb. 14).