POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho men's basketball team led almost the whole way but fell to Idaho State, 62-60, on Saturday evening. The game opened Big Sky Conference play for both teams and was part of the Battle of the Domes.

THE GAME
Idaho (4-8, 0-1 BSC) started the game hot, jumping out to a 7-0 lead over Idaho State (4-6, 1-0 BSC). The Vandals made three treys in the first six minutes. The first period proved a game of runs, however, as the Bengals responded by tying things up, 16-16, with 10 minutes remaining. With almost two minutes to play, the visitors held their largest lead of the half of eight points, 29-21, and entered halftime with a 29-23 edge.
 
The second half followed the same script, with the Vandals leading by as many as nine and the Bengals fighting back each time Idaho began to stretch out its lead. With 2:24 to play, ISU took its first lead of the game when Jared Stutzman nailed a three-pointer to put the home side up, 56-55. The Vandals were unable to take the lead back, and ultimately fell in the conference opener.
 
Trevon Allen led Idaho with 18 points while also pulling down six rebounds. Scott Blakney chipped in 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting, and Quinton Forrest tallied seven points and seven boards.

THE NOTES
The Vandals led for over 37 minutes of the game.
 
This was the third game Idaho has been involved in a game decided by two or fewer points. The Vandals are 1-2 in such games.
 
The Vandals were outrebounded, 34-32. Idaho is 1-6 when getting outrebounded this season.
 
Idaho scored 34 points in the paint, while ISU had 32 paint points.
 
The Vandals have now led at the half in eight of the team's 12 games.
 
THE NAME
Trevon Allen. Allen led the Vandals in scoring for the seventh time this season. He tallied 18 points, with two made three-pointers. The senior also pulled down six rebounds, including three on the offensive boards. He also chipped in two steals and an assist in 34 minutes of play.

THE QUOTES – Zac Claus
"[Idaho State] came up with some good shots late… They were patient enough and they hit some timely shots."
 
"I would take the shots we got in the final four minutes, and unfortunately they just simply didn't go for us tonight."
 
"I thought our guys did a good job in the first half of contesting shots."
 
"The guys battled back. I thought Scott did some really good things. I thought both Babacar and Quinton did a really good job on the glass. We simply need a little bit more to finish some of these games."
 
"We have to continue to build on the positives we have and we wake up tomorrow and get to fight another day."
 
UP NEXT
The Vandals travel to Ogden, Utah, to wrap up a three-game road trip. Idaho plays at Weber State on Monday, December 30, with the tipoff scheduled for 6 p.m. pacific time.