ANCHORAGE, Alaska – It came down to the final possession on Friday night at the Great Alaska Shootout, but it didn't go the Vandals' way, as Idaho fell to CSU Bakersfield 64-62 in semifinal action.
 
THE GAME
 
Much the same as Wednesday night, neither team got going early in the first half.  Idaho would take control late in the half and take a 32-28 lead into the break.
 
The Vandals came out hot to start the second half, opening the frame on a 12-4 run in the opening 3:29 to go up by 12.  Idaho went cold from there, failing to score for the next 9:08 as CSU Bakersfield went on a 17-0 run to take a five-point lead of its own.
 
Perrion Callandret ended the streak with a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to just two points in the closing minutes.  After some back-and-forth play, Callandret then stole the show with a thunderous one-handed dunk that brought the Alaska Air Center to its feet.


 
The teams traded buckets from there, with the Runners taking a 61-55 lead with 2:45 to play.  Idaho bounced back yet again, going on a 7-0, capped off by a 3-pointer from Victor Sanders, to go up with in the final minute.
 
The Vandals had a chance to build its lead late, but a missed jumper and a foul put the Bakersfield center at the line with 11 seconds to play.  He would miss the front end of the 1-and-1, with Sanders pulling down the rebounds.  Sanders headed to the line for the 1-and-1 the other way, but his attempt rimmed out.  CSUB pushed the other way, with Justin Davis knocking down his second 3-pointer of the season from the corner to steal the win.
 
Idaho had once desperation chance in the end, but Callandret's three-quarter court heave went begging.
 
Callandret and Sanders led the way offensively with 18 points each.  The Vandals were outrebounded for the first time this season, 37-34.
 
THE NAME
 
Perrion Callandret.  For the second straight game, Callandret was the calming force for the Vandals when others couldn't find their shots.  Callandret tied for the game-high with 18 points, connecting on 6-of-10 field goal attempts.  He was also responsible for the play of the night, throwing down a ferocious slam late in the second half when Idaho was struggling to get the offense rolling.
 
THE NOTES
 
Chad Sherwood hit his 123^rd career 3-pointer, and is now alone in 10^th in program history for made 3's.
 
Brayon Blake led the Vandals with nine rebounds.  It is the third straight game that he has recorded nine rebounds and led the team in the category.
 
Sanders scored 18 points on the night and now has 1,322 points in his career, moving into eighth all-time.  Sanders passed Chuck White (1960-63) with 1,319 points.  Next up on the list is Steve Weist (1972-73) in seventh with 1,357 points.
 
Jordan Scott recorded a career-high with six assists.
 
THE QUOTES
 
"You have to give Bakersfield the credit," said head coach Don Verlin.  "I said in the pregame that whoever wins the rebound battle was going to win this game and that's exactly the way it played out tonight.
 
"I thought we lost our focus a little bit, in that stretch.  We're up 12 with about 16 to go and then with five minutes to go in the game we're down eight.  They were able to score it pretty easily on us and then they were able to get to the offensive boards.  They did what championship-level teams do, and that's find a way to get it done.  You have to give them credit, none bigger than Justin Davis at the end of the game."
 
"It's one of those things, it's early in the season, it's a young season.  You give me the Big Sky Championship with eight seconds to go and we're up one with Victor Sanders on the line and I'll take it every day.  Twice on Sundays."


 
Idaho will take on Cal Poly in the third-place game at 6:30 p.m. Pacific on Saturday.
 
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho men's basketball by following the team on twitter, @VandalHoops.  Tickets are on sale for what is shaping up to be an exciting season of Vandal basketball, get yours today at GoVandals.com/Tickets.

For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com.  Fans can also find Idaho on Twitter and Instagram, @Idaho_Vandals, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals.