MOSCOW, Idaho – The Idaho men's basketball team fell to Montana, 81-72, on Saturday evening. The Vandals (6-17, 2-10 BSC) led by one at half, but the Griz (14-10, 10-3), who hold the top spot in the conference, pulled away to earn the victory. Trevon Allen and Gabe Quinnett both hit new career highs in points scored.

THE GAME
On Tribal Nations Night, Trevon Allen scored the first 11 points for the Vandals, and with 15:49 to play in the first, Idaho led, 11-7. The first half was back-and-forth, containing six ties and four lead changes. After 20 minutes of play, the home side held a one-point lead, 34-33.
 
The first five minutes of the second half was more of the same, but eventually the top team in the BSC began to pull away. The Griz led by 11, 58-47, with just over 11 minutes to play. Although the Vandals closed to within three points when Allen got a layup off a steal with eight minutes remaining, Montana pushed their edge back out to double digits with five minutes left. Idaho could not get stops, and were unable to get closer than eight points in the waning minutes, ultimately falling, 82-71.
 
Allen led the squad with a career-high 36 points, while Quinnett also had a career-high. The freshman hit four three-pointers and a couple free throws to finish with 14 points.
 
THE NOTES
Both Allen, a senior, and Quinnett, a true freshman, set new career highs in points scored. Allen's previous high was 29 points, and Quinnett's was six.
 
Allen now has 1188 career points and is just seven points from tying Riley Smith for 12th on the Vandal career points list.
 
Idaho was outrebounded, 29-23.
 
Montana turned the ball over nine times while forcing 16. The Griz scored 26 points off the Vandals' turnovers.
 
The Griz won the points in the paint battle, 50-28.
 
The Vandals are now 6-6 when leading at halftime this season, and 2-3 in league play.
 
Both teams shot over 50 percent from the field. Idaho was 23-for-44 (52.3 percent), while Montana shot 57.1 percent (32-for-56).
 
THE NAME
Trevon Allen. Allen scored a career-high 36 points, while also pulling down five rebounds, dishing three assists, blocking one shot, and tallying one steal. He also drew nine fouls, going 12-for-14 from the free throw line. The senior has led the Vandals in scoring in 17 of Idaho's 23 games and has scored at least 20 points in nine of the last 11 games.

THE QUOTES – Zac Claus


Trevon Allen and Gabe Quinnett
 
 
UP NEXT
The Vandals head to Cheney to take on Eastern Washington on Thursday, February 13. The game will follow the women's matchup, which begins at 5 p.m.