MOSCOW, Idaho – Memorial Gym was kind to the Vandals on Thursday night as Idaho (14-12, 9-6 BSC) topped Idaho State (5-22, 3-12 BSC), 69-61 in front of a wild crowd.
 
THE GAME
 
The Vandals scored first, but the Bengals took over early with a quick, 7-0 run.  Idaho struggled from the field early, going scoreless for a long stretch after the first made 3-pointer, but picked things up to close the half with a 30-22 advantage.  Neither team found much rhythm in the opening frame.
 
Idaho came out with a different energy in the second half, building its lead in the opening minutes.  After a short burst by Idaho State cut the Vandal lead to just five at around the 14-minute mark, Victor Sanders took over.
 
Sanders knocked down a quick 3-ball on the next possession.  After some back-and-forth play yielded no buckets, Sanders knocked down another, this time in transition.  Then came the play of the night.  Idaho State's Ethan Telfair drove to the rack, but Sanders was ready, swatting his shot with authority.  The Vandals got going in transition yet again, with Pat Ingram finding Sanders at the wing for his third straight 3.  In the end, the stretch lasted just 94 seconds, and saw Idaho's lead balloon from five points to 14.
 
Idaho State would chip away at the lead for the rest of the night, keeping the Vandals on their toes to the final horn, but Idaho would hold on for the 69-61 win.
 
The Vandals outrebounded the Bengals, 42-34.  Idaho shot well from beyond the arc, hitting on 8-of-18 attempts (44.4%) while Idaho State went just 6-of-29 (20.7%).
 
Trevon Allen was excellent off the bench, hitting a pair of 3's and finishing with nine points and four dimes.
 
THE NAME
 
Victor Sanders.  Sanders had just a tremendous all-around game.  He scored 30 points for the fifth time this season, hitting six 3's along the way and shooting 9-of-15 (60%) from the floor.  Sanders also grabbed a career-high nine boards to go along with four assists and one block.  Then there was also the nine-point swing midway through the half, helping Idaho build its commanding lead.
 
Sanders has been outstanding for the Vandals this season.  He continues to move up the rankings in Idaho history with at least four games remaining in the season.  Check the notes section for his most recent moves in the record books.
 
THE QUOTES
 
"We're obviously very excited about this weekend," said head coach Don Verlin.  "Not only where we're battling to be and where we're trying to get to in the conference standings but also our last homestand.  On Saturday we're sending out two great seniors, two seniors that have put in a lot of work during their time, a lot of energy, they've done a good job, a great job of being Vandals since they've been here.
 
"I thought we defended them really well, I thought we rebounded really well, but I thought we missed some wide opens shots and didn't finish some balls that we normally finish, for whatever reason.  But I liked our intensity at the start of the game.  Yeah, it was a struggle on one end but it was excellent on the other end.  You think about it, we go six or seven minutes without scoring and they're only up four.
 
"When Vic gets on fire he can make a lot of shots.  I thought our guys did a good job screening for him tonight, I thought our guys did a good job of getting him the ball when he was open.  On those three 3-pointers all three of them he was wide open and Vic does what Vic does and he knocks them down.
 
THE NOTES

• Victor Sanders set a career-high with nine rebounds.
• Sanders moved into 6^th on the single-season scoring charts, passing four former Vandals.  He now has 560 points on the year.
• Sanders moves into second in program history for career 3's with 169.  Connor Hill holds the record with 340.
• Idaho moves into a three-way tie for fourth in the Big Sky Standings with three games remaining.

Senior day is coming up on Saturday as Idaho takes on Weber State at 3 p.m. in Memorial Gym.  The game will also be carried by SWX, as well as the normal live stream at GoVandals.com/WBS.
 
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.