CORVALLIS, Ore – Idaho men's basketball (4-6) could not overcome a cold streak to start the second half against Oregon State (6-2) on Saturday at Gill Coliseum.
Tyler Mrus led the Vandals on the score sheet for the third time this season, with 15 points on 6-11 shooting.
Jack Payne added 12 points, his third double-figure effort in the last five games, and four rebounds, in a team-leading 28 minutes.
The first half began as a back and forth affair, with a
Kolton Mitchell three at the 15:40 mark giving Idaho a 10-8 advantage. The Beavers responded with a 22-12 run, taking a 10-point lead with just over three minutes left on the first half clock. The Vandals fought back, cutting the deficit down to just three, but a three pointer just before the buzzer put OSU up six heading into the locker room. Idaho shot 47.8% in the first 20 minutes, including 40% from three, but struggled to keep possession, turning the ball over 10 times in the opening period.
The Beavers' top-10 scoring defense proved themselves in the opening minutes of the second, only allowing 13 Vandal points in the first 10 minutes. Down 43-62, the Vandals could not string shots together to mount a comeback, falling 62-78.
After the hot start from beyond the arc, Idaho finished the game 8-26. True freshman
Ewan Steele led the Vandals in rebounds for the first time this season, accumulating seven boards in his 11 minutes.
Up Next
The Vandals return to ICCU Arena for a meeting with UC San Diego, the third opponent from the Big West on Idaho's schedule. The game on Sunday, Dec. 15 is a part of a doubleheader, with the women's team taking on Utah State at 1 p.m. and the men's game scheduled to tip-off at 4 p.m.
