RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Idaho men's basketball (6-6) suffered a 67-82 road loss at UC Riverside (5-7) on Thursday night at SRC Arena. 

Idaho shot 43 percent (23-of-53) from the field and was led in scoring by Julius Mims' season high 23 points. Mims secured his third double-double of the season with 11 rebounds and posted three blocks for the third time in a single game this year. 

D'Angelo Minnis recorded 12 points and a personal best nine assists while Tyler Linhardt added nine points to lead Idaho's scoring. 

The game was close in the first half as Idaho held a 39-37 lead at the break. The Vandals were up as many as nine (25-16) with just over 10 minutes to go in the first half. UC Riverside chipped away to cut its deficit to a two-point game at the end of the first half. 

The opening five minutes of the second period saw each team trade buckets with neither squad able to build more than a two-possession lead. With the Vandals trailing 53-55, the Highlanders used a 14-0 run to find breathing and break the game open. UC Riverside shot 55 percent (16-29) to Idaho's 32 percent to be the difference in the second frame. 

Idaho clawed back within nine (67-76) but that's the closest they would come as UC Riverside closed out its victory. 

The Vandals start a four-game home stretch and open conference play next week, as Sacramento State and Portland State come to town. Idaho faces off against the Hornets on Thursday, December 28 (6 pm) and the Vikings on Saturday, December 30 (2 pm).

--