THIBODEAUX, La. – A balanced offense and some lock-down defense in the second half helped propel Idaho to the 79-68 win over Nicholls State on Sunday night.  Not much time for rest for the Vandals, with the annual Battle of the Palouse coming up on Wednesday in the Cowan Spectrum.
 
THE GAME
 
The Colonels jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead, but the Vandals responded quickly to take a lead of their own.  Idaho had its difficulties breaking the press at moments, committing 10 turnovers in the opening frame.  The Vandals would close the half well, taking a 40-34 lead into the break.
 
Nicholls State started the second half in a similar way, with a 10-0 run to open the frame.  Idaho continued to battle, keeping things close, but Nicholls eventually took a 50-45 lead midway through the frame.
 
Then the Vandals took over.  Idaho would battle to tie the game up at 60, before closing the half on a 19-8 run to take the win.
 
Victor Sanders had a calm night on the offensive end, finishing with 15 points, three rebounds and four assists.  Perrion Callandret scored in double-figures for the fifth straight game, finishing with 10 points, including two electric dunks for the Vandals.
 
THE NAME
 
Brayon Blake.  Blake was outstanding in the first half, pacing the squad with 14 points and nine boards.  He kept his strong play up in the second half, posting career-highs in points and rebounds.
 
THE NOTES
 
Blake finished the night with 23 points and 14 rebounds, both career-bests.  It was the third double-double of his career, and first against a Division I opponent.
 
Idaho held Nicholls State to 1-of-20 from beyond the arc (5%).  The five percent shooting performance is the lowest by an Idaho opponent since Don Verlin took over ahead of the 2008-09 season.
 
Idaho won the battle of the boards, 38-33.  Idaho has outrebounded its opponent five times in seven games this season.
 
THE QUOTES
 
"At the end of the day, I talked a lot about how we needed to control the tempo of the basketball game," said Verlin.  "I thought we did a very nice job of that tonight.  You hold them to 26 points below their average, they've been putting up a ton of points, so I thought we did a good job of controlling the tempo.  We did an excellent job defending the 3-point line tonight.  Here's a team that makes 12 3-pointers a night, and we hold them to one.
 
"We rebounded the ball really well in the first half, not quite as well in the second half.  BJ Blake had an excellent rebounding the game with 14 rebounds, that's work.
 
"I thought Perrion Callandret was exceptional defensively tonight, Vic Sanders was solid, and Jordan Scott was really good defensively tonight."
 
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.

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