POCATELLO, Idaho- Despite a career-high of 21 points from
Geno Luzcando, the Idaho State men's basketball team lost to Utah State, 69-58, on Tuesday night at the Spectrum in Logan, Utah. Utah State improved to 7-3 while ISU dropped to 3-7.
The Bengals were held to 39 percent shooting from the field. Utah State shot 40 percent for the game but 50 percent in the second half. ISU was out rebounded 42-30 but had only nine turnovers and 11 assists. Idaho State made only four 3-pointers and eight free throws on 13 attempts.
USU was 8-28 from the three-point line and made 19 free throws on 26 attempts. The Bengal defense forced 13 turnovers.
Luzcando scored his 21 points on 9-16 shooting.
"He is pretty clever and he has good strength," Idaho State coach
Bill Evans said on Luzcando. "He knows how to use the basket. He is a tough kid and knows how to play."
Ethan Telfair had 20 points, five assists and four steals.
Ben Wilson had a career-high 10 rebounds.
"We stayed the course and kept playing hard," Evans said. "That was positive. If we continue to play hard, stay together and rebound better we can really be competitive in the next few games."
ISU jumped out to a 13-10 lead with 11:50 left in the first half thanks to a jumper by Telfair. Then with the scored tied at 17 with 7:06 to play in the first period, ISU went on a 7-0 run to take a 24-17 lead following a Telfair basket with 4:11 remaining. ISU led 26-19 with three minutes left in the half when the Aggies ended the half on a 10-2 run to lead 29-28 at the break.
Utah State led by as many as 15 points in the second half at 68-53.
"They hit a few more shots than us and we turned the ball over too much early in the second half," Evans said.
Idaho State plays its final game before the Christmas holiday on Wednesday vs. Texas Rio Grande Valley at 5:30 p.m. in Logan, Utah.
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