MOSCOW, Idaho – An incredible string of 3-pointers from Cameron Tyson kept the Vandals alive on Tuesday night, but it wasn't enough to pull out the win as Idaho (0-2) fell to Nicholls State (2-2), 83-80, in Memorial Gym.
 
THE GAME
 
After coming out slow, Idaho was able to fight back fairly quickly to give the Vandal faithful an exciting opening half.  Scott Blakney was the star in the opening half, scoring a career-high 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the opening frame, including one ferocious alley-oop from Trevon Allen.  Jared Rodriguez came up big in the closing seconds, getting a tip-in at the horn to put the Vandals up, 40-39, at the break.
 
The second half was much of the same in the opening minutes, with neither team able to take control.  Nicholls found some success through Jeremiah Jefferson, who netted 6-of-10 from beyond the arc.  After a quick flurry gave the Colonels a 64-57 lead, Tyson took over.
 
The freshman from Bothell, Wash., drained three straight 3's in 70 seconds to reclaim the lead for the Vandals.  And he kept it up down the stretch, knocking down three more in the final minutes to keep Idaho's hopes at a comeback alive.  In the end, the clock doomed the Vandals, as Idaho ran out of time and fell, 83-80.
 
Tyson finished the night with a team-high 22 points.  He saved his best for late, connecting on 6-of-7 from beyond the arc in the final seven minutes of the game.  Blakney also had a career night, finishing with 18 points and seven rebounds.
 
THE NAME
 
Marquell Fraser.  Fraser recorded his first double-double as a Vandal, finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds.  He also posted a game-high six assists.  Fraser was active all night, causing problems for the Colonels on both ends of the court.
 
THE NOTES
 
Idaho moves to 0-2 for just the second time under Don Verlin.  The previous occurrence happened during the 2012-13 season.
 
Fraser recorded his first double-double.  Last year, Brayon Blake led the way for the Vandals in double-doubles with 12.
 
Blakney recorded career highs of 18 points and seven rebounds.
 
THE QUOTES
 

 
Next up Idaho gets the Vandal Holiday Hoops Showcase started in Moscow, with Bethesda coming out to Memorial Gym on Sunday for a 2 p.m. tipoff.
 
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho men's basketball by following the team on twitter, @VandalHoops.  Ticket packages are on sale 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.