BOISE, Idaho (AP) Jermaine had 20 points and 10 rebounds along with five assists and Coby Karl added 19 points as Boise State defeated rival Idaho 76-66 Friday in the first round of the Boise State Invitational. The game was the season opener for both teams.
Jason Ellis scored 10 of his 12 points during a 31-10 surge to start the second half that that saw the Broncos (1-0) erase a 37-33 halftime deficit and take a 64-47 lead with 8:46 remaining.
Trailing 30-27, the Vandals went on a 10-3 run in the final 2:40 of the first period to take their 4-point lead at the half. But BSU took over in the second half as Ellis broke a 41-41 tie with a pair of free throws with 16:04 remaining, and the Broncos never looked back.
Led by Jerod Haynes 7 points and a pair of baskets by Dandrick Jones in the final 6:25, Idaho stayed close and twice cut BSU's lead to 8 points in the final 3:40, but the Vandals could get no closer. Tanoris Shepard led Idaho (0-1) with 16 points and Haynes added 13.
Kareem Lloyd scored 11 points for Boise State and Jones had 12 for Idaho.
