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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Vandal men coast to win over lower-division Walla Walla

Idaho uses balanced scoring against winless Wolves

Sean Kramer Correspondent
MOSCOW, Idaho – The life of a freshman walk-on isn’t often luxurious. When Chad Sherwood comes to practice every day, there is little chance the work he puts in that day will earn him regular playing time. Instead, he usually emulates opposing players to help starters such as senior guard Connor Hill prepare for upcoming games. Sherwood saw the floor for a team-high 22 minutes Thursday night in as Idaho men’s basketball eased its way to an 86-39 win over NAIA opponent Walla Walla. He played 14 of those minutes in the second half when he led all scorers with nine points, all on 3-pointers. He finished the night 4 for 7 from beyond the arc and 12 points. “I’m so happy for him. Ever since he came here last year, he’s worked his butt off,” said Hill, who had a game-high 19 points. “We guard each other in practice every day and he hits shots on me a lot. He’s a good player and I think he’ll eventually get his chance here, for sure.” Sherwood headlined a bench-clearing night for the Vandals, who led 49-18 at halftime. Twelve players saw the floor with all but one (senior point guard Mike Scott) scoring. Five players hit double figures. The Vandals (5-5) poured it on in the second half, keeping the winless Wolves scoreless for the first 5 minutes and extending the lead to 60-18. Idaho only conceded 7 of 33 shots Walla Walla flung from 3-point distance. “I was really looking on the defensive side of the basketball and I thought we did what we were coached to do tonight,” Idaho coach Don Verlin said. “We did a good job defending them. Obviously, we are a lot better than them. It was nice to get some guys some extra minutes.” Verlin became the winningest coach in Idaho history, passing Don Monson, who coached at Idaho from 1978-1983. The milestone hits a meaningful chord with Verlin, who has led the program since 2008. “When you think back seven years ago when I came here I never dreamed that we’d get to this point,” Verlin said. “I have to thank all the players that came here and their families for letting them coming to Idaho. It’s an interesting dynamic and when these kids come they’re my family, too. They spend a lot of time at my house. It means a lot for that to happen.”