Vandals Show Their Strength With Another Overtime Win Scott Helps Idaho Avoid Cellar With Victory Over Nevada

Idaho has found its basketball niche. It comes after a normal game ends. The Vandals topped Nevada 82-74 in overtime at the Kibbie Dome on Thursday night, bumping UI to 3-0 in extra-session games. In a season that has featured more downs than ups, overtimes have been consistently kind to the Vandals.

“I’d like to think it’s because we’re tough-minded and we condition very well and we’re so well-coached,” UI coach Dave Farrar said with tongue buried in cheek. “I really don’t know why.”

Senior Gordon Scott put forth the theory that the Vandals are in top condition, due to the efforts of strength coach Tommy Boyer-Kendrick. Scott supported his reasoning with a big overtime period.

He hit three field goals, including a 3-pointer, en route to scoring eight of UI’s 13 points. The late surge lifted Idaho to 8-9 overall, 2-3 in the Big West. Coupled with Boise State’s home loss to Utah State, Idaho escaped the Eastern Division cellar as BSU slipped to 1-4. Nevada is 4-12, 2-3.

It was one of Idaho’s tidiest efforts of the season. The Vandals had just eight turnovers, shot 48.3 percent and outrebounded the taller Wolf Pack. Still, it was a struggle throughout. Idaho trailed by five points midway through the second half, but caught up at 54-54 when Cliff Gray scored on the low block.

The Vandals led 67-62 with 2:58 remaining, but Nevada pulled even on a four-point play. Joao Santos hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key while being fouled by Kaniel Dickens. He hit the free throw to even the score at 69.

Nevada had a chance for the game-winner, but Gray stepped in front of Adrian McCullough’s burst to the basket and drew a charging foul with 7 seconds left. Scott missed an off-balance 18-footer at the buzzer.

Idaho scored eight of the first 10 points in overtime. Scott dropped in a 3 and then hit a twisting 15-footer for a 77-71 advantage. The Vandals cruised the rest of the way, with Scott punctuating the victory with a two-handed dunk in the final seconds.

Farrar challenged Idaho’s three seniors with some scathing comments to the media earlier this week. In fact, Gray was benched for what he admitted was “just being stupid.” But the threesome was the backbone of Thursday’s win.

Scott finished with 25 points, seven boards and four assists. Devon Ford took advantage of soft Nevada defense and hit a bundle of uncontested midrange jumpers. He had 18 points and eight rebounds. Gray maneuvered in the paint for 13 points, five rebounds and three blocked shots, all seemingly at crucial times.

Idaho 82, Nevada 74 (OT)

Nevada - Stirgus 4-8 2-2 10, Ochs 4-10 3-4 11, Green 5-15 3-3 16, McCullough 6-15 7-7 21, Zapata 1-6 0-0 3, Santos 3-7 1-1 9, Guerinoni 1-3 0-0 2, Criddle 1-5 0-0 2. Totals 25-69 16-17 74.

Idaho - Ford 8-15 2-2 18, Gerschefske 3-5 1-2 7, Dickens 1-3 3-4 5, Miller 1-2 0-0 3, Scott 7-16 7-10 25, Buoncristiani 1-4 0-0 3, Gray 4-6 5-7 13, Monroe 1-4 2-2 4, Logan 1-1 0-0 2, Lewis 1-2 0-2 2. Totals 28-58 20-29 82.

Halftime-Idaho 34, Nevada 33. Regulation-Nevada 69, Idaho 69. 3-point goals-Nevada 8-20 (Green 3-8, Santos 2-2, McCullough 2-4, Zapata 1-4, Guerinoni 0-1, Criddle 0-1), Idaho 6-16 (Scott 4-11, Miller 1-1, Buoncristiani 1-2, Gerschefske 0-1, Gray 0-1). Fouled out-Green, McCullough, Dickens. Rebounds-Nevada 38 (Stirgus 8), Idaho 39 (Ford 8). Assists-Nevada 9 (McCullough 4), Idaho 19 (Buoncristiani 5). Total fouls-Nevada 25, Idaho 18. Technicals-None. A-2,011.