MOSCOW, Idaho – The Idaho (0-14, 0-11 BSC) men's basketball team fell late to Eastern Washington (7-6, 6-2 BSC) on Thursday evening. Three Vandals scored in double figures, led by Gabe Quinnett.  

THE GAME
EWU started the game on the front foot, taking a seven-point lead, 11-4, with just under 15 minutes to play. However, the Vandals started getting the feel of the game, using an 8-2 run to get within one, 13-12. When the visitors again pushed their cushion out, this time to nine with 9:48 to play, Idaho responded again, drawing within one, 28-27, with 5:12 to play. The two teams exchanged blows for the final minutes of the half, and EWU took a 38-34 lead into the break.
 
The Vandals came out of the locker room hot, scoring on their first six possessions of the period. A Quinnett three-pointer with 16:31 remaining tied the game up, 47-47. EWU scored the next five points and would lead the rest of the way. With 8:23 to play, the Eagles led by double digits, and while the Vandals fought to cut the deficit down, the visitors would ultimately win, 89-75.
 
THE NOTES
Babacar Thiombane scored a career-high 12 points. He was 4-for-5 from the field and also chipped in four rebounds and a steal in 24 minutes.
 
Ja'vary Christmas dished out six assists, tying his career high. He has now tallied at least four assists in seven different games, including the last three.
 
The Vandals were edged in rebounds, 35-30. Tanner Christensen and Scott Blakney each pulled down five boards to lead Idaho. It was Christensen's seventh game this season with at least five rebounds, and his eighth time this year leading the team in the category.
 
Idaho shot 47.3 percent (26-for-55) from the floor, while EWU was 30-for-60 (50.0 percent).
 
The Vandals were 8-for-16 (50.0 percent) from beyond the arc, while the Eagles were 11-for-25 (44.0 percent).
 
The Vandals were 15-for-25 (60.0 percent) from the line. The Eagles were 18-for-20 (90.0 percent) from the free throw line.
 
Damen Thacker was 1-for-1 from the free throw line and has now made his last 32 foul shots. He is shooting 94.3 percent on the year.
 
THE NAME
Gabe Quinnett. Quinnett tied his career high with 18 points. The sophomore has led the Vandals in scoring in the last three games. He was 6-for-10 from the floor and 4-for-7 from beyond the arc. His four made threes tied a career high. Quinnett was also 2-for-2 from the free throw line while playing a game-high 34 minutes.  

THE QUOTES – Zac Claus

 
UP NEXT
The Vandals will head to Cheney for a rematch with the Eagles. Idaho and Eastern Washington will play Saturday on SWX with tipoff scheduled for 12:05 p.m.
 
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.