MOSCOW, Idaho – Competing in the first game of 2024 and the third contest of a four-game homestand, Idaho men's basketball (7-8) fell late to St. Thomas (11-5), 75-67 on Wednesday night at ICCU Arena.

Julius Mims paced the Vandal offense with a game-high 19 points and 14 rebounds, including two made threes and three blocks. Terren Frank came off the bench and added 16 points, while Tyler Linhardt posted eight points. Another key contributor in Idaho's second unit was second-year guard Titus Yearout, who posted seven points and a team-best +7 plus-minus in 24 minutes of action. 

The Vandals found themselves in an early hole to open play, as St. Thomas took advantage of Idaho's inability to contest three-point shots without fouling, drawing three different chances to shoot three foul shots in the first four minutes of action. The Toms made all 10 of their free throws and knocked down a pair of triples to go up 16-7 with 16:40 to play. Later in the period, St. Thomas used a 10-4 run to build its largest lead of the half, 29-18 with 7:27 to go. 

From there, the Vandals found a groove offensively and forced stops to build a 10-0 run to make it a one-point game (29-28) with under five minutes remaining in the first. Quinn Denker and D'Angelo Minnis keyed the run, each knocking down a three-point shot. The two teams traded baskets the rest of the half as the Vandals went into the locker room down, 36-38. 

Idaho allowed St. Thomas to build separation to begin the second, as they jumped out to a 45-36 lead after a 7-0 run. The Vandals used another key run to chip away at its deficit, going on an 8-0 spurt to make it a one-possession game (55-57) with just over five minutes to go in the game after a driving layup by Frank. The pursuing possession saw the Toms start a 13-2 run that ultimately put the game out of reach. 

Idaho shot 41 percent from the floor and made eight threes on a 40 percent clip.

Up Next
Idaho will enjoy the next nine days to rest up and get healthy before they host Eastern Washington for a January 13 doubleheader. The Vandal women jumpstart the day at 1:30 p.m. PT before the Idaho men tip off at 4 p.m.

POSTGAME WITH COACH PRIBBLE


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