POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho men's basketball team couldn't overcome a slow second-half start, as Idaho State earned a 64-59 victory on Thursday night at Reed Gym. 

Three Vandals pitched in double-figure scoring efforts, including a team-high 14 points from Quinn Denker. The junior guard also added five assists, three rebounds and two steals. Tyler Linhardt started for the third consecutive game and recorded 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting while Julius Mims followed with 12 points. 

Idaho shot 41.5 percent from the field and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line. The Vandals outrebounded the Bengals 36-34, but Idaho State turned nine offensive rebounds into 14 second-chance points.

The Vandals carried a lead for the entirety of the first half and held their largest advantage of seven points (27-20) through 4:30 to play behind 10 points from Mims. Idaho State scored eight of the next 11 points to make it 30-28 at the half. 

It was another case of offensive struggles to open the second half for Idaho, as they scored eight points through the first nine minutes of action. Idaho State took advantage of the Vandals' efforts with a 14-0 run to go up 57-40 with 5:42 to go. From there, Idaho battled back to make it a four-point game (59-63) but the comeback came up short. 

Up Next 
The Vandals travel south to face Weber State in Ogden on Saturday, January 20 at 6 p.m. PT. 

POSTGAME WITH COACH PRIBBLE