OMAHA -- The Idaho men's basketball team (1-2) fought back from down 20 points at the half to make it a three-point game with under a minute to play, but Omaha (1-2) made its free throws down the stretch to win 79-72 on Sunday afternoon at Baxter Arena.

Senior guard Divant'e Moffitt helped keep the Vandals within striking distance throughout the game, recording a career-high 29 points on 8-of-16 shooting. He scored 17 of his 29 in the second half. 

Yusef Salih and Nigel Burris each posted double-figure scoring efforts. Salih had 13 points on 3 for 6 from the field and 5-of-5 from the foul line while Burris put up 10 points and seven rebounds.

Right from the tip, the Vandals struggled to find flow to their offense as the Mavericks raced out to a 19-3 advantage. Idaho put together a couple of runs to bring the score to 29-19 with over six minutes to play in the half. Omaha closed out the half on a 27-7 run behind 56.7 percent shooting from the field to lead 46-26. 

Moffitt's 12 points led all Idaho scorers at the break. 

Idaho found a rhythm in the second half, cutting into its deficit to make it a nine-point game (58-49) after a three by Salih. Omaha put themselves back up 14 points before the Vandals answered with a 13-4 run to make it 69-64 with under two minutes to play. 

The game stayed within two possessions as each team traded baskets. Three straight free throws made by Salih after an Omaha foul made it 75-72 with under 20 seconds to play. The Vandals would force a turnover on the very next play but Idaho would give it right back as the Mavericks secured the win at the free throw line.

The Vandals begin a two-game home stretch next week, welcoming Cal State Bakersfield (Nov. 16) and Utah Tech (Nov. 19) to ICCU Arena.

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