The most anticipated nonconference matchup of the season for Idaho ended in thrilling fashion Thursday as the Vandals claimed a 78-74 victory over Palouse-rival Washington State. Thursday’s game was the 271st meeting between the two programs.
The Vandals’ victory added yet another aspect to the historic rivalry between the two teams and gave Idaho a two-game winning streak over the Cougars.
“This win was a really big one for us because I had a tired basketball team and I thought my guys really stepped up and played as hard as they possibly could,” Verlin said.
The Idaho victory gives the Vandals bragging rights in the longest-running rivalry west of the Mississippi.
“(The win) was big,” junior guard Perrion Callandret said. “It was a real fun game and I think it was really important to the whole school.”
Callandret exploded for 18 points in the first half, converting six of eight shot attempts from the field. Sophomore guard Chad Sherwood added another five points and a rebound for the Vandals in the half.
Junior forward Josh Hawkinson led the way for the Cougars in the first 20 minutes of play, scoring eight points and adding two rebounds. Junior guard Ike Iroegbu contributed another seven points for the Cougars.
Idaho (6-5) outrebounded Washington State 19-9 in the first half en route to a 44-37 halftime lead over the Cougars.
The Vandals effectively contained the Cougars’ quick-paced offense, not allowing a single fast-break point during the first 20 minutes of the contest.
“Our players executed the game plan,” Verlin said. “We knew we needed to get back in transition and we did a great job of spreading the court and not giving them easy baskets in transition.”
The Vandals took advantage of a cold shooting streak from Washington State by taking a 70-63 lead, as the Cougars converted just two of 12 shots down the stretch late in the second half.
Sophomore guard Victor Sanders combined with Callandret to provide 45 points for the Vandals on the night. Sanders finished with 20 while Callandret had 25.
The Vandals relied on 39 rebounds and a 56.3 percent shooting percentage from 3-point range to claim the victory.
“The difference in this basketball game was our effort on the boards tonight,” Verlin said.
The loss drops Washington State’s record to 6-2 and gives Idaho its first home victory in the rivalry since 2002.
“We didn’t want to be intimidated by them,” Callandret said. “We don’t want to have fear of anybody.”
The Vandals play New Hope at 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Cowan Spectrum.
Josh Grissom can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @GoshJrissom