MOSCOW, Idaho – The Idaho (0-10, 0-7 BSC) men's basketball team fell to Northern Colorado (6-6, 3-4 BSC), 74-54, on Thursday evening.  

THE GAME
The first 13 minutes were a back-and-forth affair, with 13 lead changes and four ties between the Vandals and Bears. With seven minutes to play until half, Tanner Christensen scored to make it a two-point game, 22-20. However, Northern Colorado went on a 7-0 run and led, 30-24, at the break.
 
The two teams traded baskets to begin the second half, and with 8:21 to play, the visitors held a five-point lead, 47-42. The Bears used a 19-2 run to push their lead out to 22, 66-44, with 3:31 to play. Babacar Thiombane would score five points in the final 1:29, but the Vandals were unable to make a comeback, and Northern Colorado would ultimately take the Big Sky contest, 74-54.
 
THE NOTES
Damen Thacker led the Vandals with 16 points. It was the senior's sixth consecutive game in double figures and third straight game leading the squad in scoring. He also had five boards and three assists.
 
Babacar Thiombane finished the game with a career-high three blocks. He also had five points, one rebound, and one steal.
 
The Vandals outscored UNCO in the paint, 22-18. They also held the edge in points off the bench, 16-8.
 
Idaho was outrebounded, 38-30. Three Vandals had at least five boards, with Tanner Christensen leading the way with six, and Ja'Vary Christmas and Damen Thacker each pulling down five.
 
Idaho shot 39.6 percent (21-for-53) from the floor, while UNCO was 22-for-52 (42.3 percent).
 
The Vandals were 4-for-13 (30.8 percent) from beyond the arc, while the Bears were 12-for-24 (50.0 percent).
 
The Vandals were 8-for-13 from the line. The Bears were 18-for-23 from the free throw line.
 
Damen Thacker was 2-for-2 from the free throw line and has now made his last 24 foul shots.  
 
THE NAME
Tanner Christensen. Christensen scored a career-high nine points in the game and also pulled down a team-high six rebounds, which tied his career high. The freshman also tallied two blocks, one assist, and one steal. He drew six fouls, while committing just one in 17 minutes.

THE QUOTES – Zac Claus

 
UP NEXT
The Vandals and Bears meet again on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for noon in Memorial Gym and the game will be aired on SWX.
 
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho men's basketball by following the team on twitter and Instagram, @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.