MOSCOW, Idaho – Quinn Denker and D'Angelo Minnis combined to score 42 points while the Vandals forced Pacific into 20 turnovers to help earn a 83-53 win on Wednesday night at the ICCU Arena. 

Idaho moves to 5-4 overall to match the program's best start to a season since 2017. The Vandals' defensive pressure proved to be a problem all game, as Idaho forced 21 turnovers - the most against a Division l opponent in more than three years (21 vs. Portland State, 1/02/2020).

The backcourt duo both recorded their best scoring efforts at the D1 level, as Denker led with 22 points and Minnis posted his fourth straight double-figure output with 20 points. 

Right from the tip, Idaho showed off its aggression on the defensive end and started to build a comfortable lead behind Denker and Minnis. 

The pair scored 14 of the first 18 points for the Vandals to help jump out to an 18-9 lead in the early going. Idaho's offensive success translated over to the defensive end, forcing four Tiger turnovers in the first two minutes of action.

Idaho added an 11-2 run to continue to grow its lead (29-11) with under 10 minutes left in the first half. Tyler Linhardt provided a spark as soon as he checked into the game, scoring six points in just two minutes of action in Idaho's 11-point spurt. Linhardt posted double-figures for the second straight game with a personal best 12 points on a 3 for 6 clip from the field.

Later in the period, Linhardt found the bottom of the net on a 3-pointer to give the Vandals their largest lead (40-18) of the first half. Denker added another three to send the Vandals into the locker room up 43-25. 

The Vandals forced 13 first-half turnovers and took advantage at the foul line going 12-of-13.

Shots continued to fall from behind the arc in the second half, as Idaho knocked down five more to finish with 12 makes on 41 percent shooting. The double-digit makes from three was the third time this season the Vandals have made 10 or more threes in a game. Denker led the team with a 5 for 6 effort from distance.

The Vandals increased their lead to 65-34 with nine minutes to go in the second half. Kris Gonzalez finished off the Vandals second straight win with back-to-back threes to finish with eight points on the night.

Idaho scored 24 points off of 21 turnovers by Pacific and delivered their most efficient performance from the foul line, shooting 19-of-23 (83%). 

Julius Mims, the Big Sky's leading shot blocker, had himself another successful night protecting the rim, posting three blocks for the second time this season. 

Up Next
The Vandals head out on the road for the first of three games away from Moscow, starting with a contest against Utah Tech on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 6 PM PT. 


POSTGAME WITH ALEX PRIBBLE



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