It’s been a rough few seasons for Idaho. This Saturday, they’ve taken on Sacramento State and flipped the script.
They’ve lost by an average of 15 points in five games, including playoffs, and only beat the Hornets once since Zac Claus took over as head coach. Today, they added another win to the column, beating Sac State 82-76 in overtime.
Idaho was down 32-29 in the first half, but outscored Sacramento 39-36 in the second. Fifth-year guard Divant’e Moffitt was entrusted with the game tying shot, and hit practically the exact same shot at the exact same time as he did against Idaho State to send that game to overtime. Junior forward/center Isaac Jones took over in overtime, scoring 10/14 of Idaho’s points on their way to victory.
Moffitt led all scorers in the first half with 13 points, going 5/7 from the field and 3/3 from the free-throw line. Jones added seven as he shot 3/4 from the field and 1/3 from the line. Moffitt also led in scoring in the second with 15 points, hitting 7/10 total shot attempts with one coming from beyond the arc.
Jones was also instrumental in the Vandals’ run to overtime with his eight points.
Sophomore guard Dominique Ford and senior guard Rashad Smith were the only other players to add points as they both put up two.
Leading the game in assists was Moffitt with four. Jones did the work in the paint as he pulled down seven rebounds.
Overall, Idaho shot 33/52 from the field, 6/12 from three and 10/12 from the free-throw line. On the other hand, Sacramento shot 31/60 from the field, 7/21 from three and 7/12 from the line.
This is the first time since Claus took the reins that Idaho has beat the Hornets on the road and the second time they’ve won in overtime.
The Vandals will take on the top team in the Big Sky, the Eastern Washington Eagles, on Feb. 11 at 3:30 p.m. They’ll be looking to avenge their biggest loss of the season on Tribal Nations night, with a “White Out” theme for Vandal fans.
James Taurman-Aldrich can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @JamesAldrich25.