ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Idaho led for nearly 39 minutes on Saturday night in the third place game of the Great Alaska Shootout, taking down Cal Poly, 75-66, in the final installment of the historic tournament.
THE GAME
With Idaho up 10-9 early, the Vandals went on a quick 11-2 run, capped off by a layup from
Victor Sanders, to grow its lead to double-figures. The Mustangs would cut the deficit to just three points late in the half, but Idaho would respond to take the 37-28 lead into the break.
The Vandal lead ballooned early in the second half, with Sanders and
Perrion Callandret taking over. Idaho would get up by as many as 18 points in the second, coasting to the nine-point win.
Sanders led the way for Idaho with 24 points, going 5-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Nate Sherwood added 17 points, while Callendret chipped in with 14.
Brayon Blake led the Vandals on the glass yet again with nine boards, and added 10 points.
The Vandal defense was stellar, holding the hot-shooting Mustangs to 36.7 percent (22-of-60) from the floor and 29.6 percent (8-of-27) from range. Idaho shot well all night, finishing 24-of-55 (44%) from the field and 8-of-19 (42%) from deep. The Vandals did lose the battle of the boards for the second straight night, getting outrebounded 37-33.
THE NAME
Nate Sherwood. The younger Sherwood brother was a strong force for Idaho in the first half, pacing the squad as it built its lead. He finished the opening frame with 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Nate Sherwood had a solid second half as well, but took a back seat offensively as Sanders and Callandret took over.
THE NOTES
Sanders went 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. It is the ninth time that he has connected on at least five 3's in a game. Idaho is now 8-1 in those games.
Four Vandals scored in double figures for the first time this season.
THE QUOTES
"I was proud of our guys," said head coach
Don Verlin. "Last night was hard on us, no question about it, giving up the game-winner, but we bounced back and played pretty hard. I thought we had a few lax minutes there in the second half but I was happy with the way we played and very happy with the outcome.
"I thought we had a couple guys really active on the glass tonight. I thought
Jordan Scott was extremely active on the glass, I thought he got us a lot of extra possessions. Looking at Jordan's stat sheet you kind of forget about him, but last night he had six assists and no turnovers. Tonight he had two assists and no turnovers, four offensive rebounds. He always guards the toughest perimeter guy. A lot of times we talk about everybody else, we never talk about Jordan and he's a guy who really rolls up his sleeves and gets the work done."
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Idaho will next take on Nicholls State in Thibodeaux on December 3, before returning to Moscow for the Battle of the Palouse on Wednesday, December 6. Check back next week for more information on the matchups.
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.
