POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State men's basketball team lost 77-65 to Pepperdine on Friday night at Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu, Calif.
Idaho State shot 41.5 percent from the field while Pepperdine shot 46.2 percent. The Bengal defense held Pepperdine to 1-17 shooting from the three-point line but only managed to make six 3's on 20 attempts.
Idaho State was 15-24 from the free throw line while the Wave made 16-17 from the line. The Bengals were out rebounded for the first time this season, 39-32.
"We got owned on the glass tonight," Idaho State coach
Ryan Looney said. "We turned it over way too much. In our mind that was the difference. They had so much more size and athleticism than we have right now."
Tarik Cool led Idaho State in scoring with 21 points. He was 7-17 from the field and 3-7 from the three-point line.
Jared Stutzman had 13 points. He was 3-5 from the field while making six free throws on eight attempts.
Chidi Udengwu was the top rebounder with seven.
Idaho State led 34-33 at halftime. The Bengals led for a majority of the first half. They led 11-5 four minutes into the game after a layup by
Chier Maker. Idaho State built a 29-22 lead with 3:32 left in the first half after a 3-pointer by Cool and its biggest lead of the game was 32-24 with 2:20 left after a 3-pointer by Maker.
Pepperdine ended the first half on a 9-2 run to cut the Idaho State lead to 34-33 at halftime.
"I am proud of the guys for jumping out to a quick start," Looney said. "We had our best week of practice we have had all year. That is part of the culture we are working towards in preparing for games. We have grown by leaps and bounds."
Pepperdine continued its run in the second half, taking a 47-43 lead with 14:36 left in the game. The lead was extended to 61-49 with 8:23 remaining.
Pepperdine's biggest lead was 17 at 73-56 with 3:33 left. Idaho State outscored the Wave 9-4 over the final 3:33.
Idaho State has 10 days before it hosts UC Santa Barbara at 7:30 p.m. in Reed Gym.
