SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Idaho (3-8) closed out non-conference play at Santa Clara (7-6) on Friday, falling to the Broncos, 77-56.  The Big Sky season begins next Saturday night, with Idaho State coming to the Cowan Spectrum.
 
THE GAME
 
The Vandals got up 11-10 on a layup by Geno West about five minutes in, but the Broncos would go on an 18-2 run from there to take over.  Idaho was unable to respond in the first, trailing 37-23 at the half.
 
Santa Clara kept the momentum going in the second half.  The Broncos would slowly build their lead, eventually cruising to the 77-56 win.
 
Jared Rodriguez led the Vandals with 17 points to go along with a career-high 11 rebounds for his first career double-double.  Marquell Fraser also recorded a double-double, finishing with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Idaho struggled to get going from the floor.  The Vandals finished the night 17-of-58 (29.3 percent) from the floor and 4-of-19 (21.1 percent) from beyond the arc.
 
THE NAME
 
Jared Rodriguez.  Rodriguez recorded his first career double-double, finishing with a game-high 17 points and 11 rebounds.
 
THE NOTES
 
Idaho moves to 3-8 on the year, with Big Sky play beginning next week.
 
Rodriguez and Fraser each recorded double-doubles.
 
Idaho won the rebound battle, 45-31.
 
THE QUOTES – Don Verlin
 
"We played hard.  The score doesn't reflect it, but we played hard.  We were active.  A brutal travel day, not getting here until today and playing shorthanded against a big team, they wore us down.  Give them credit, they're a team that's getting a lot better.  They're a big, strong, physical team and it was really tough for our small guys out there tonight."
 
Big Sky Conference play opens up on Saturday, Dec. 29, with Buck Night against Idaho State.  Tipoff from the Cowan Spectrum is set for 7 p.m., with hot dogs, popcorn and sodas at concessions all going for just $1.
 
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.