Vandals let one slip away in OT
LOGAN, Utah - Idaho led by eight points with 3:38 to play in regulation, but several key errors down the stretch let Utah State climb back and steal an 82-75 win in overtime on Saturday in Western Athletic Conference play at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
Idaho (6-7, 2-1 WAC) was looking for its first win at Utah State in a decade, but two turnovers, three missed shots and key defensive miscues saw the Aggies (13-1, 4-0) close the gap, then force overtime on a Preston Medlin 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds to play.
In overtime, Idaho struck first to go up 71-69, but then Utah State went on a 9-1 run over the next three minutes to effectively put the game away.
“It’s a game, with where we had it and how the last four or five minutes go, it’s obviously going to stick in our hearts,” Idaho coach Don Verlin said. “We did a lot of good things, but when you’re up six with three (minutes) to go, it’s one you’d like to finish.”
Sophomore guard Connor Hill, the former Post Falls High standout, led Idaho with 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while senior center Kyle Barone notched a double-double for a fourth consecutive game with 13 points and 10 rebounds, but scored just five points after halftime. Senior guard Mike McChristian notched the first double-double of his career with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Medlin led all scorers with 22 points and did most of his damage with 14 points in the final five minutes of regulation and beyond. Junior center Jarred Shaw had 12 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out early in overtime.
The score was tied 18 times and the lead changed hands 10 times.
Verlin said that despite the setbacks, whether they were USU offensive rebounds or turnovers, he was proud of how his team battled and had itself in a position to win the game before Medlin’s last-second 3-pointer.
“We didn’t execute like we were supposed to on that last play. They got done what they needed to, made that shot and they were able to get us in overtime,” Verlin said. “We had our chances, but it’s just heartbreaking that we didn’t get out of here with a win, because we deserved that win.”
After playing its first three WAC games on the road, Idaho returns home to Moscow this week, where it will face conference newcomer Denver on Thursday and New Mexico State on Saturday. The Pioneers (6-7, 2-1) host UTSA on Sunday, while the Aggies (8-8, 2-2) defeated Texas State at home on Saturday by a 78-67 margin.
IDAHO (6-7)
Barone 4-9 5-9 13, Harris Jr. 1-2 0-0 2, C. Hill 7-10 0-0 18, McChristian 4-8 1-2 11, Madison 6-16 0-4 14, Douglas 1-5 1-1 3, Habeeb 3-4 2-2 8, Bell 1-1 0-0 2, Kammerer 2-5 0-0 4, Faines 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 29-60 9-18 75.
UTAH ST. (13-1)
Reed 5-12 7-8 17, Shaw 5-10 2-3 12, Davis 5-10 3-4 14, Medlin 5-14 9-14 22, Butterfield 4-10 3-4 11, Clifford 1-1 0-0 2, Lopez 0-4 0-0 0, Jean 0-0 0-0 0, Roland 1-3 0-0 2, Stone 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 27-65 24-33 82.
Halftime_Tied 30-30. End Of Regulation_Tied 69. 3-Point Goals_Idaho 8-24 (C. Hill 4-7, McChristian 2-5, Madison 2-8, Kammerer 0-1, Habeeb 0-1, Douglas 0-2), Utah St. 4-16 (Medlin 3-8, Davis 1-2, Roland 0-2, Butterfield 0-4). Fouled Out_Habeeb, Harris Jr., Shaw. Rebounds_Idaho 36 (Barone, McChristian 10), Utah St. 46 (Shaw 12). Assists_Idaho 20 (Douglas 6), Utah St. 14 (Butterfield 5). Total Fouls_Idaho 25, Utah St. 17. A_6,982.