by MOSCOW, Idaho – The Idaho men’s basketball team were worn down by Washington State on Wednesday evening, falling, 78-65, in Cowan Spectrum. The Cougs (4-4) took the Battle for the Palouse, the longest running basketball rivalry in the West, over the Vandals (3-6) despite a late comeback bid.
THE GAME
The visitors got the upper hand early, but Trevon Allen (Umatilla) nailed a three-pointer with just under eight minutes to play in the half to put the Vandals up 19-17. It was Idaho’s first lead of the game. However, a 10-0 run by the Cougs in the last four minutes of the period put them up double digits. Keyshaad Dixon had an old-fashioned three-point play with 1.4 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to 32-24 at the break.
The Cougs opened the second half on a 14-2 run and led by double digits the rest of the way. The Vandals put up a fight late, going on a 14-3 run which was highlighted by back-to-back treys by Damen Thacker, but WSU eventually won, 78-65.
Trevon Allen finished with 12 points, while Scott Blakney had 13 points and also pulled down six rebounds. Dixon had his first double-double of the season recording 10 points and 10 boards. Thacker also reached double-figure scoring, chipping in 10 points.
THE NOTES
After missing two games with an injury, Trevon Allen returned to the starting lineup. He finished with 12 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
It was just the second time this season that Idaho trailed at the half.
Keyshaad Dixon pulled down 10 rebounds, a career-high, to lead the Vandals.
All eight Vandals who played in the game scored.
The Cougs had 12 steals in the game, while the Vandals had six.
Idaho was outrebounded, 40-31, in the game.
The Vandals were 8-for-15 from the free throw line, while the Cougs were 16-for-21.
The Vandals held CJ Elleby to just 10 points. Elleby entered the game the second leading scorer in the Pac-12 putting up 21.6 ppg.
