Alley-oops, blocks and and-ones. Oh my! On Dec. 8 Idaho broke a six-game skid against South Dakota State in the ICCU Arena.
The Jackrabbits came to Moscow with an 8-2 overall record and a top-ranking in the Summit League. The result was a physical, competitive and entertaining game.
For most of the game, the score went back-and-forth. Both teams momentarily led in the first and second half, but neither could reach a double-digit lead. It all changed in the final six minutes.
Idaho shot 54.9% from the field, including 54.2% from three. The Vandals also made 29-34 from the free-throw line. With this efficiency, Idaho summoned an 84-74 lead with 6:34 left in the game. The Vandals never let the lead slip back to single digits. They carried it to the final buzzer for a 98-84 win.
Beyond snapping a six-game losing streak, the win came against a quality opponent. Before Wednesday, South Dakota State sat in first place in the Summit League. The Jackrabbits have only allowed one other team to rack up so many points against them this season. Alabama, ranked No. 9 in the AP Top 25, beat South Dakota State 104-88.
Vandals junior guard Rashad Smith said this was the most complete game yet for Idaho. He pointed out the plays, especially from junior guard Trevante Anderson, in addition to the number of free throw attempts and makes.
Speaking of free throws, 16 of 34 attempts came from senior guard Mikey Dixon. Dixon scored 35 points against South Dakota State. This was the highest individual scoring performance of the season for the Vandals. In addition to Dixon’s 35 points, he also added six rebounds and nine assists. He also made all 16 of his free-throw attempts.
Dixon had his share of highlight plays. He had two four-point plays as well as an alley-oop that was slammed in by freshman forward Tanner Christensen.
Anderson, Smith and Christensen also scored in double-digits for the Vandals. Anderson had 15 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Smith had 16 points and seven rebounds. Christensen had 14 points, two rebounds and a block.
While the other Vandals may not have made it to double digits, they still made key contributions. Junior forward Philp Pepple had four rebounds, an assist and three blocks. Freshman guard Yusef Salih had nine points off three 3-pointers to go with an assist and a steal. Sophomore guard Gabe Quinnett added six points of his own off two 3-pointers.
But there is something that isn’t always on the stat sheet: Smith’s defensive presence. For a large portion of the game, Smith guarded many of the Jackrabbits’ big men. Smith guarded senior forward Douglas Wilson and junior forward Luke Appel. Wilson stands at 6’7 and Appel stands at 6’8.
In a post-game interview, coach Zac Claus said Smith was good at guarding all positions on the court and the team needs that kind of defensive ability going forward.
In past weeks, the narrative around this new team was one with talent that just needed to put it together. Against South Dakota State, they did. Only time will tell if they can continue this level of performance. Nonetheless, it is an encouraging sign for Vandals fans.
Idaho’s next game will be Dec. 11 on the road against CSU Bakersfield at 7 p.m.
Teren Kowatsch can be reached at [email protected]