Portland State takes it to Vandals

From local reports

MOSCOW – The Idaho Vandals fell behind by as much as 23 points in the first half, made it interesting with a flurry late, but ultimately fell 76-69 to the Portland State Vikings in Big Sky Conference men’s basketball Thursday night before 1,676 at the ICCU Arena. 

Isaiah Johnson scored 22 points for Portland State (14-9, 6-4 Big Sky), which jumped out to a 35-12 lead late in the first half. 

The Vikings led by 25 points in the second half before former Lapwai High star Titus Yearout, who scored all 14 of his points in the second half, led a late charge that pulled Idaho (10-14, 5-6) within 72-67 in the final minutes. 

“This is a tough one for us,” second-year Idaho coach Alex Pribble said on the postgame radio show. “We have some things to solve in our locker room ... there’s a culture piece, we’re not competing consistently enough. 

“We were on our heels too much. It's on me and the coaches to get the competitiveness out of us ... this is a big step backward for us.” 

Kolton Mitchell, the former Lake City High star, scored 12 points for Idaho, as did teammate Kristian Gonzalez. 

The Vandals committed 21 turnovers. 

Johnson also contributed seven rebounds and three steals for the Vikings. Terri Miller Jr. added 14 points and six rebounds, and Cole Farrell finished with 13 points. 

Idaho plays host to Sacramento State on Saturday.

Portland St. 76, Idaho 69  

PORTLAND ST. (14-9) 

Johnson 10-13 1-2 22, Miller 5-9 4-8 14, Minott 3-4 1-3 7, Henderson 1-4 6-6 8, Myers 1-7 4-7 6, Farrell 4-8 3-6 13, Nowell 1-4 0-0 2, Phipps 2-5 0-0 4, Brice 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 27-54 19-32 76.  

IDAHO (10-14) 

Mims 2-2 0-0 4, Mrus 2-8 0-0 6, Gonzalez 4-13 2-2 12, Mitchell 4-9 1-2 12, Payne 3-8 0-0 7, Hardy 0-1 6-8 6, Yearout 4-5 4-4 14, Linhardt 1-5 0-0 2, Anderson 0-0 0-0 0, Rose 1-1 0-0 3, Klapper 0-2 0-0 0, Brickner 0-1 0-0 0, Stevens 1-1 0-0 3. Totals 22-56 13-16 69.  

Halftime_Portland St. 39-19. 3-Point Goals_Portland St. 3-10 (Farrell 2-4, Johnson 1-1, Henderson 0-1, Miller 0-2, Myers 0-2), Idaho 12-32 (Mitchell 3-5, Yearout 2-3, Gonzalez 2-6, Mrus 2-7, Rose 1-1, Stevens 1-1, Payne 1-5, Klapper 0-2, Linhardt 0-2). Fouled Out_Henderson, Mims. Rebounds_Portland St. 31 (Minott 9), Idaho 36 (Mrus 7). Assists_Portland St. 8 (Myers 6), Idaho 12 (Mitchell 4). Total Fouls_Portland St. 19, Idaho 25. A_1,676 (4,200).