DAVIS, Calif. – Idaho (8-5) scored its first bucket 23 seconds in on a 3-ball by Perrion Callandret and never looked back, running away with the 68-51 win over UC Davis (4-6).  Callandret would go on to score a game-high 18 points.

“Boy I really liked the way this team played tonight,” head coach Don Verlin said.  “I thought we played with a lot of energy and a lot of passion. We set the tone right from the get-go and never let up.  For the first time since Arkadiy got hurt we saw the guy that we thought we'd have all year long.  This is a good win, this is a good basketball team.  It feels good.”

The Vandals led from the first basket on, leading by as many as 23 points in the second half.  Victor Sanders and Arkadiy Mkrtychyan each scored 12.

Idaho shot 46.4 percent (26-of-56) from the field and 38.9 percent (7-of-18) from beyond the arc.  The Vandals held UC Davis to 35 percent (14-of-40) shooting from the field and 26.7 percent (4-of-15) from deep.  Idaho won the battle of the boards, grabbing 35 to UC Davis' 28.

Idaho got out to a hot start, hitting its first five shots from the field and forcing three straight turnovers.  UC Davis stayed close however, before the Vandals closed the half on a 20-7 run, taking a 38-20 lead into the break.  Perrion Callandret led the way early, scoring 14 points in the opening frame.

The Vandals will rest up before opening Big Sky play at North Dakota on December 31.  Check back with GoVandals.com for more information as the game gets closer.

Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho men's basketball by following the team on twitter, @VandalHoops.

For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com.  Fans can also find Idaho on Twitter and Instagram, @Idaho_Vandals, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals