California State-Bakersfield handed Idaho its first loss of the season Nov. 17 in Bakersfield, California.
Since then, Idaho junior guard Perrion Callandret said the Vandals weren’t seeking revenge, but wanted to be competitive when they faced the Roadrunners Wednesday at the Memorial Gym.
Idaho beat the Roadrunners 67-63.
“We came out and we tried to compete,” Callandret said. “It was all about competing the second we stepped on the court and that helped us a lot.”
In their first meeting against the Roadrunners, the Vandals lost 68-45. Idaho struggled shooting as it finished 30 percent from the floor that day.
Idaho shot 41.2 percent from the field Wednesday night and California State-Bakersfield finished 40 percent from the field.
Callandret said he felt more comfortable handling the Roadrunners’ defensive pressure after scoring six points in their last meeting.
“Last time we played Cal State-Bakersfield, they pressured me really well,” Callandret said. “This time I tried to handle the pressure better and found my older shots that way.”
Callandret scored a career-high 26 points and was 12-for-12 from the free-throw line.
Senior guard Chris Sarbaugh said Idaho was more prepared than it was in the last meeting against the Roadrunners.
“This time it was more mental competitiveness and we were just way more focused and ready for the pressure they were going to bring,” Sarbaugh said.
Sarbaugh, a San Diego transfer, said he has confidence in his teammates despite this being his first and only year playing for the Vandals.
“This is my fourth school in five years,” Sarbaugh said. “But it feels like I’ve been here a lot longer and it goes back to my teammates and coaches. They’ve made me feel welcomed and have confidence in me. It’s helped me play better because I have more confidence in myself and that’s been the biggest key part of this year.”
Sarbaugh earned career highs in points (15) and rebounds (7).
Idaho coach Don Verlin said the second half is when Idaho hit its stride.
“We had some guys step up and make some shots,” Verlin said. “I just liked our mental focus … A number of times they had to really work to get a basket and I thought we did a great job.”
Verlin said sophomore guard Victor Sanders stood out defensively after covering freshman guard Damiyne Durham throughout the game. Durham led Cal State-Bakersfield with 15 points.
“Victor did a great job (covering Durham),” Verlin said. “Durham got a couple of shots on Jordan (Scott), but I really thought Victor was one of the catalysts in this game.”
With the win, the Vandals ended their two-game losing streak and face Little Rock at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Cowan Spectrum.
Luis Torres can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @TheLTFiles