POCATELLO, Idaho – The Westminster men's basketball team gave Idaho State a challenge before falling, 73-71, in an exhibition game at Reed Gym on Friday night.
 
Westminster led for most of the first half before a late 7-0 run by Idaho State gave them a slim 33-32 lead at the intermission. The Griffins would take a 39-38 lead with 16:09 to play in the second half before Idaho State used a 16-2 spurt to take a lead they never gave up.
 
The Griffins would close the gap to two when Isaiah Tademy scored at the rim and was fouled with 15 seconds to play. Zerrion Payton grabbed an offensive rebound on the ensuing free throw and then Tademy was called for basket interference on a tip that would have tied the game. Ali Faruq-Bey made two free throws on the other end to seal the ISU victory.
 
Jordan Pryor led the Griffins with 19 points on a night that he shot 5 of 15 from the field.  The senior made a pair of threes and was 7 of 8 at the foul line.
 
Westminster shot 40.7 percent from the floor as a team and they held ISU to just 25.4 percent. The key was the 39 made free throws of 50 attempts by the home side as they shot 78 percent from the stripe. ISU also had a 53-38 edge in rebounds, including 21 on the offensive end.
 
Payton and Zach Scott finished the game with nine points apiece for Westminster. Casey Evans added eight points and eight rebounds.
 
Faruq-Bey led all scorers with 22 while Ethan Telfair added 20.
 
The Griffins will start the regular season with a home game against College of Idaho on November 14. The action tips at 6 p.m. in the Behnken Field House and tickets are available by visiting WestminsterGriffins.com/tickets.