by MOSCOW, Idaho – The Idaho men’s basketball team fell in another close game, 78-75, to Eastern Washington on Thursday evening. The game featured 10 ties and 10 lead changes before the Eagles (10-6, 3-2 BSC) edged the Vandals (5-11, 1-4 BSC) for the conference victory. Senior Trevon Allen (Umatilla) reached the 1000 point plateau early in the first half.
THE GAME
The Eagles started the game hot, jumping out to a 7-0 lead before the Vandals could respond. However, the home team slowly chipped away at the deficit, eventually taking a 20-19 lead with just under eight minutes until halftime. Idaho led by as many as four points, but EWU led, 35-31, at the break.
Eastern Washington pushed its lead out to double digits, 49-39, with 13:36 left to play. But once again the Vandals responded, going on a 12-0 run, including eight points by Trevon Allen, to retake a lead, 51-49, with nine minutes remaining. Down the stretch was end-to-end and back-and-forth, as the lead swung between the teams. With 36 seconds left, a Damen Thacker three-pointer gave Idaho a one-point lead, but Jack Perry responded with a trey to take the lead back for the Eagles. Down three points with two seconds to play, the Vandals got the ball, but the half court heave was short, sealing the win for the visitors.
Allen led the Vandals with 23 points, while Scott Blakney chipped in 14, and Jack Wilson added 10 points. Marquell Fraser tallied seven points and eight rebounds.
THE NOTES
Trevon Allen made a three-pointer with 12:59 to play in the first. With that bucket, the senior joined the 1,000 point club. He is the 17th Vandal to reach that benchmark in school history.
