NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – Junior
Isaac Jones recorded a team-high 29 points and 10 boards while the Idaho men's basketball team (6-6) rallied from down 13 points to comeback and earn a 76-73 win over Cal-State Northridge (2-8) on Friday night at Premier America Credit Union Arena.
Jones shot 10-of-15 from the field, 9-of-10 from the foul line and recorded his fourth double-double of the season to help pull off the victory.
Divant'e Moffitt was the team's second-highest scorer, posting 15 points and a team-high six assists.
True freshman
Nigel Burris continued to step up for the Vandals, scoring 13 points on a 4 for 7 clip and recording seven of the team's final 11 points to close out the game.
In the first 11 minutes of action, either team was able to gain separation as the game stayed within one possession. With 9:07 left in the half and the Vandals leading 23-22, the Matadors used an 18-4 run to gain its largest lead (40-27). Idaho responded immediately with a 13-2 run of its own to bring it back within one possession (42-39) heading into the break.
Jones made Idaho's first five points to open the second half to put the score at 45-44 in favor of CSUN. From there, the Matadors went on an 8-0 run to go up nine (53-44) with 14:33 remaining. It wasn't until a
Trey Smith corner three-pointer at 10:07 left to go in the second period that Idaho retook the lead for the first time since 9:07 left in the first half.
Six lead changes and three ties followed in the final 10 minutes of action. It was crucial free throws by Burris and
Rashad Smith's fourth steal of the night that came up to be difference-making plays in the final stretch to close out the victory.
Idaho shot 48 percent (24-50) from the field, including an impressive 23-of-25 (92%) from the foul line. The Vandals turned CSUN over 13 times on the night and capitalized that into 20 points.
When the final whistle blew there were 15 lead changes and nine ties throughout a competitive back-and-forth affair.
The Vandals have now won five of their last six games and will look to end non-conference play on a high note when taking on Long Beach State on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
POSTGAME WITH ZAC CLAUS
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