MOSCOW, Idaho – Guard Divant'e Moffitt scored a career-high 31 points and the Idaho men's basketball team shot 54 percent from the field, but UC Riverside's Zyon Pullin sunk a go-ahead jumper with under two seconds to play giving the Highlanders a 76-74 win on Sunday afternoon at ICCU Arena. 

Moffitt shot 11-of-21 from the field and 9 for 9 from the free-throw line to lead the Vandals offensively. Senior Rashad Smith scored in double figures for his second consecutive game with 13 points on a 5 for 6 clip while freshman Nigel Burris added 12 points and seven rebounds. 

UC Riverside was led by Pullin, who scored 18 of his 26 points in the second half.
 
Idaho shot over 50 percent for the fifth time in its last six games, going 23-of-43 (53.5%) and 6 for 12 from behind the arc. The Vandals are now shooting the eighth-highest average in the nation at 50.7 percent. 

Starting junior forward/center Isaac Jones spent most of the game in foul trouble, picking up two quick fouls in the first half and ultimately earning his fourth midway through the second period, costing Jones to play under 18 minutes.  
 
Idaho kept it within single digits for the majority of the first half before UC Riverside made it a 36-26 game with under four minutes remaining after a three from Jamal Hartwell. The Vandals responded immediately with a 9-2 run to end the half only down three (38-35). 

The Highlanders built its lead back up out of the break, as they hit four straight shots and went on an 11-2 run to gain their largest advantage of the game at 49-37 with 18:02 remaining. From there, Idaho chipped away at UC Riverside's lead to ultimately make it a one-point game (73-72) with under one minute remaining after a floater was good by Moffitt. A UCR free throw made it 74-72 but it was Moffitt again sinking a clutch bucket to tie the score. Pullin's 12th made basket was the decider as the Vandals were unable to get a shot off to end the game. 
 
The Vandals host its final game of 2022 on Friday when the squad welcomes Northwest Indian College to ICCU Arena. Action gets underway at 6 p.m.

POSTGAME WITH HEAD COACH ZAC CLAUS



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