POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State men's basketball team closed out nonconference play with a 56-43 loss to UC Santa Barbara on Tuesday afternoon at the Thunderdome in Santa Barbara, Calif.
The Bengals trailed 27-26 at halftime but was outscored 29-17 in the second half. The Bengals played well on defense holding the Gauchos to 22 points below their average.
The Idaho State offense shot 32 percent in the second half and 36.2 percent for the game.
Tarik Cool was the only Bengal in double figures with 11 points and six rebounds.
Brayden Parker had nine points.
UCSB shot 44.9 percent from the field. Idaho State had nine first half turnovers and 16 for the game.
Emmit Taylor III was the leading scorer for the Bengals in the first half with two 3-pointers and three rebounds.
Idaho State led for only 1:58 seconds. Parker gave ISU a 24-22 lead thanks to a 3-pointer by Taylor. The Bengals got no closer than three points in the second half.
Idaho State returns to Big Sky Conference play on Dec. 30 and Jan. 1 with games at Montana and Montana State.
