MOSCOW, Idaho – The Memorial Gym crowd was impressive on Saturday night, and the Vandal men were much of the same, as Idaho (2-1) took down Sam Houston State (2-1), 63-54.
 
THE GAME
 
Idaho got up early behind some aggressive play from Perrion Callandret.  Callendret scored six points early, pacing the Vandals as the tempo increased.  Idaho would get up by as many as 13 in the first half, but Sam Houston State came storming back late in the frame to make things interesting.
 
The Bearkats took a lead of their own in the second, but it proved to be short-lived.  SHSU got up six midway through the half, 44-38, but Idaho went on a tear from there.
 
The Vandals would go on 19-3 run to take a 10-point lead that they would not relinquish, knocking down their free throws late to seal the win.
 
Idaho shot 45 percent (18-of-40) from the floor and 25 percent (3-of-12) from range.  The Vandals were true at the line, connecting on 24-of-27 (88.9%) attempts.  Idaho dominated on the glass, outrebounding a normally tremendous Sam Houston squad, 35-25.
 
Victor Sanders led the way with 22 points, while Nate Sherwood added 14.  Perrion Callandret finished the night with 12 points.
 
THE NAME
 
Victor Sanders.  Sanders had just nine points in the first half, mostly from the free throw line, but he came alive when the Vandals needed him the most.  After a SHSU jumper cut Idaho's lead to just one with about six minute to play, Sanders took over.  He came down the court and knocked down his first three of the night, then, after a Nate Sherwood steal on the next possession, knocked down another.  After a missed 3-pointer from the Bearkats, Sanders pulled up from deep yet again, this time getting fouled and sent to the line where he connected on all three attempts.  In all, Sanders outscored Sam Houston State 9-0 over the 77-second stretch, essentially putting an end to the Bearkats' hopes.
 
THE NOTES
 
Chad Sherwood hit one 3-pointer on the night, moving into a tie with Jeff Ledbetter for the 10^th most 3's made in program history with 122.
 
Victor Sanders topped 20 points for the 25^th time in his career.  Idaho is now 19-6 when he does so.
 
Perrion Callandret scored in double-figures against a Division I opponent for the first time since the 2015-16 season.
 
THE QUOTES
 
"It was great to get a nice, hard-fought win tonight," said head coach Don Verlin.  "They got ahead of us in the second half and I thought our guys showed a lot of heart and determination to get a win against a good Sam Houston State team.
 
"We played well for the first 10 minutes, no question about it.  I thought we were excellent defensively and we got out to a great start.  The ball was moving and we took care of our ball in that 10 minutes."


 
Idaho will hit the road for the Great Alaska Shootout next, beginning with Santa Clara on Wednesday.  Check back with GoVandals.com next week for more.
 
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho men's basketball by following the team on twitter, @VandalHoops.  Tickets are on sale for what is shaping up to be an exciting season of Vandal basketball, get yours today at GoVandals.com/Tickets.

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.