Even though it came against a school it hadn't lost to in 71 years, at least Utah was beaten by a Division I school in its home opener this year.

The young Utes, whose top scorers were a couple of freshmen, dropped a 94-87 decision to a veteran Idaho team Friday night at the Huntsman Center.

The Vandals, who return four starters from last year and have added a couple of talented junior-college transfers, took it to the Utes from the start and withstood a late challenge to beat Utah in basketball for the first time since 1938.

"I don't like giving up 94 points in our building, but I thought we battled," said Ute coach Jim Boylen. "We battled back and hung in there. But you've got to give Idaho credit. They made the plays and we didn't."

The Vandals were led by JC transfer Steffan Johnson with 19 points, while senior Mac Hopson and another JC transfer, Jeff Ledbetter, each scored 16.

Ute freshman center Jason Washburn led all scorers with 20 points on 8 of 9 shooting from the field and added seven rebounds, while freshman guard Marshall Henderson scored 18 points. Washburn missed most of fall practice with a knee injury, but he said he's back to 100 percent.

"It felt good to get back in there, but you look at 20 points and seven rebounds and you look at the loss and it kind of scratches it all out," he said. "It's all about us winning — we're not supposed to lose here."

The Vandals, under second-year coach Don Verlin, who assisted at Utah State for 10 years, jumped out to a 10-point lead midway through the first half and led 47-41 at halftime.

Utah began the second half with a blocked shot by 7-foot-3 center David Foster and two baskets by the big guy and took their first lead at 66-65 since the opening moments on a 3-pointer by Kim Tillie, who had 10 points and eight rebounds on the night.

However, Ledbetter hit three straight baskets, including a pair of threes, to put the Vandals back up by eight. The Utes came back to tie it at 81 with 5:40 left, but could never retake the lead.

A steal by Tillie brought the Utes within one at 87-86 and then Luka Drca, who had nine assists and no turnovers, stole the ball. However, Carlon Brown missed a tough shot and then Luiz Toledo followed in a shot with 1:19 left. When Hopson sank a tough shot as the shot clock wound down with 25 seconds left, the Utes were done.

Brown, who struggled with 4-of-13 shooting and six turnovers, said, "It was a rough night for me, but one that I'm going to put in the past and look to correct by Wednesday."

On Wednesday, Utah State, which was picked to finish ahead of Idaho in the WAC this year, will visit the Huntsman Center.

GAME NOTES: The official attendance was 8,121 . . . The Utes were whistled for two technical fouls, in the first half against Henderson and in the second half against Boylen . . . Idaho assistant Mike Score was an assistant at Utah for three years under Ray Giacoletti . . . Utah leads the all-time series Idaho 12-3 . . . Idaho's last win in the series came in 1938 at Twin Falls.

e-mail: sor@desnews.com