Spartans win 74-68

Trios. Triplets. Triads. Triumvirates. Trinities. Such were the passwords of the day for San Jose State as the Spartans were dialed in from long distance all game long. Backed by 28 points apiece from Adrian Oliver and Keith Shamburger (his career high), plus Wil Carter's 11 boards, SJSU downed Idaho 74-68.

13-23 shooting from beyond the stripe paved the way for the Spartan while the Vandals could only manage 7-21 from way outside.

San Jose State University open up a seven-point lead with 10:20 remaining in the game after an Oliver jumper. Wil Carter made it a nine-point margin with a pair of free throws.

UI's Jeff Ledbetter (who scored 21) nailed a three-pointer to cut the difference to six. He followed up with another trey, making it a one possession deficit at 61-58.

Later on, Luiz Toledo scored on an and/1 three-pointer play to put the score at 68-65. After a free throw by center Kyle Barone, Deremy Geiger's spin move layup at the 2:56 mark tied the game at 68.

Ignoring the Biblical commandment, Shamburger then stole a pass and converted it into a layup. He then became a repeat offender of the first half of his previous effort but then a shot was missed.

With under a minute to go, a Ledbetter shot attempt was blocked and gathered in by -- who else? -- Shamburger. After a pass, Oliver was fouled but one not putting him at the foul line.

Fittingly, Shamburger was then fouled and went to the line with 31 seconds remaining. He made the first and then the second, putting SJSU up 72-68.

Justin Graham then stole yet another pass and Idaho was hosed.

After the initial 20 minutes of play, it was 36-34 in favor of Idaho, with Oliver taking an early trip to trey-mania-land by burying four first half three-pointers. Shamburger added 11 for the Spartans. Ledbetter totaled eight points but Barone -- the second-leading scorer for the Vandals -- not appearing among the leaders in the points or rebound numbers -- he was credited with just two points. SJSU shot 39% overall but a remarkable 8-14 from long distance.