UI Outworks Washington, Prevails 64-61

One could attempt to comb the stats to uncover the reason for Idaho’s blue-collar 64-61 men’s basketball win over Washington on Wednesday night.

But UW coach Bob Bender and Idaho forward Harry Harrison pointed to a less tangible element: hustle.

“We had to hustle and get the loose balls in order to win the game,” said Harrison, who logged 20 points, 13 rebounds, four steals and several floor burns.

“Loose balls got us,” said Bender, whose club dropped to 2-1 in view of 3,543 at the Kibbie Dome. “They got a lot of loose balls. They just beat us to them and they were quicker to the ball. That’s something we can’t allow to happen.”

This was a bump-and-grind battle, a tug-of-war virtually void of fastbreak baskets. The largest lead by either team was five points.

UI, 3-1 heading into a road date against Southern Utah on Saturday, won it, as you’d expect, with a couple of key defensive stops in the waning minutes. Washington sophomore forward Mark Sanford, after a shooting a frosty 1 of 7 in the first half, hit three long jumpers - his last a 3-pointer that put UW up 61-58 with 2:25 left.

UI forward Jason Jackman connected on consecutive buckets that gave Idaho a 62-61 lead with 1:12 to go and UW tried to counter by going to Sanford, who finished with 17 points.

Three times UW attempted to put the ball into Sanford’s hands and finally succeeded with 1.6 seconds left. He rose for a 3-pointer that was blocked by Gardner.

Idaho 64, Washington 61

WASHINGTON (61)

Sanford 7-15 0-0 17, Booker 3-6 1-2 8, Amos 3-9 1-2 7, Hamilton 0-1 0-0 0, Boston 6-11 3-6 17, Watts 1-3 0-0 3, Femerling 1-2 0-0 2, Hartman 2-6 1-1 5, MacCulloch 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 24-54 6-11 61.

IDAHO (64)

Jones 0-4 0-0 0, Harrison 8-12 4-10 20, Gardner 1-3 2-2 4, Rose 3-11 2-6 8, Dirden 5-9 0-0 13, Baumann 0-1 0-0 0, Turner 3-5 0-0 6, Jackman 6-11 1-2 13. Totals 26-56 9-20 64.

3-point goals - Washington 7-17 (Sanford 3-6, Booker 1-3, Hamilton 0-1, Boston 2-2, Watts 1-2, Hartman 0-3), Idaho 3-11 (Rose 0-4, Dirden 3-7). Fouled out - none. Rebounds - Washington 37 (Sanford 12), Idaho 33 (Harrison 13). Assists - Washington 14 (Hamilton 10), Idaho 11 (Rose 6). Total fouls - Washington 18, Idaho 14. Technicals - none. A-3543.

, DataTimes