MOSCOW, Idaho – It took an extra five minutes but Idaho (3-1) handled business at home against South Dakota State (1-4), 96-89, on Monday night in Memorial Gym.
Â
"It was a heck of a win," said head coach
Don Verlin. "It was definitely a shootout tonight. I thought our guys showed a lot of character there. They hit a desperation three there to force overtime and I thought our guys did an excellent job of changing the momentum of the game and fighting their tails off."
Â
South Dakota State led for much of the first half but Idaho but the two teams headed into the locker room level at 38. South Dakota State would build a small lead early in the second half, but Idaho would respond and lead for most of the second frame. The Jackrabbits would fight their way back in things, however, draining a wild 3-pointer at the buzzer to force the overtime frame.
Â
Idaho would take control early in OT, taking a seven-point lead midway through. South Dakota State would cut the deficit to one possession, but Idaho was successful at the free throw line to ice the game.
Â
Victor Sanders led the way for Idaho with 29 points. Not often is a 29-point performance overshadowed, but somehow
Pat Ingram's career-high 23 off the bench just felt bigger. Ingram went 8-of-9 from the floor and 5-of-6 from beyond the arc during his career night and added three boards, three assists and two blocks for good measure.
Â
Idaho's bench was tremendous, outscoring the South Dakota State bench 47-15.Â
Chad Sherwood finished with 13 points, going 4-of-4 from range, while
Ty Egbert added 11.Â
Myles Franklin didn't score on the night, but dished out a game-high seven assists off the bench.
Â
Idaho finished the night at 52.2 percent from the floor (35-of-67) and 45.2 percent from range (14-of-31). The 14 3-pointers are tied for the most under a
Don Verlin-coached Vandal team. Idaho also hit 14 3-pointers against Hawaii late during the 2009-2010 season.
Â
It's the second straight win for Idaho against a 2016 NCAA Tournament team, after taking down Little Rock on the road on Friday. The Jackrabbits will get another shot against the Vandals in a couple weeks, when Idaho heads out to South Dakota State on December 10.
Â
Next up for Idaho is a trip to Sam Houston State on Friday, November 25. Check back with GoVandals.com on Wednesday for more information.
Â
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.
Â