MOSCOW, Idaho – Games with Eastern Washington are never easy, and Friday night was no different, as the Vandals took the 66-64 win in Cowan Spectrum.
 
THE GAME
 
Idaho jumped out to a 5-0 lead but EWU went on a run to take a lead of its own.  The lead changed hands seven times in the first half, as neither squad could build much of an advantage, with the Eagles taking the 29-26 lead into the break.
 
The Vandal defense stepped up in the second half, and stepped up almost immediately.  Chad Sherwood got a steal on the opening possession and knocked down a 3-pointer from the corner going the other way to tie the game up immediately.  The lead traded hands a couple more times, before the younger Sherwood stepped up.
 
Nate Sherwood took over midway through the second half, scoring 11 straight for the Vandals over a five-minute stretch.  Chad Sherwood hit a 3-pointer to mix things up, followed by five more from Nate.  In the end, the Sherwoods scored 19 points over seven minutes, taking Idaho from down three to up four.
 
The lead would exchange hands a few more times, with EWU taking a one-point advantage on a 3-pointer with 43 seconds to play.  Brayon Blake was the star going the other way, hitting a layup off an inbounds pass with 24 seconds left on the clock.  Victor Sanders took a foul the other way on a tough call, sending Sir Washington to the line for two, down two, with 13 seconds remaining.
 
The crowd took over from there.  3,192 screaming fans made sure Washington felt their presence, as his first shot rimmed out.  Washington called for the fans to give it to him again, and they did, as his second attempt clanged as well.  Sanders grabbed the rebound, and hit one-of-two at the line after being fouled immediately.
 
EWU had one more chance, with the Eagles' star, Bogdan Bliznyuk, took it to the rack with seconds to play.  The defense collapsed, with Blake swatting Bliznyuk's shot to seal the win.
 
THE NAME
 
Nate Sherwood.  The younger Sherwood stepped up for the Vandals with 23 points, including 19 in the second half.  He shot 9-of-13 from the floor, and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.
 
THE NOTES
 
Idaho moves to 9-3 in the Big Sky, EWU falls to 7-5.
 
Nate Sherwood had a Division I high of 23 points.  His three 3's are also a career-best.
 
Sanders finished with eight points, including just one in the second half.  It is the second straight game that Sanders failed to score in double-figures.  He had scored in double-figures in 47 consecutive games.
 
THE QUOTES
 
 
 
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.