The Vandal men’s basketball team never trailed in its victory over Lincoln University of Oakland, California, on Sunday, building a 26-point halftime lead on its way to a 108-69 win.
Six Vandals hit double-digit point totals, and Idaho hit the 100-point mark for the first time since putting up 109 against Evergreen State last season.
Idaho started red hot, hitting eight-for-eight from the field and building a 19-3 lead in the game’s first four minutes. Kristian Gonzalez tallied seven points in the game’s first three minutes.
The Vandals kept rolling through the half, with Hudson Ward putting up 13 points, including nine from beyond the arc. Miles Klapper was dishing early with four first-half assists. Idaho led comfortably, 59-33, at the halftime break.
Idaho hit 64.9% from the field in the first half, going nine of 16 from beyond the arc. Ward helped the Vandals pick up where they left off with two quick buckets to open the second half, followed by a three from Kase Wynott.
The Oaklanders would gain a slight bit of momentum despite their deficit, however, putting together a 13-2 scoring run in the middle of the second half. Idaho would respond with a pair of free throws from Diego Trejo-Delgado to kickstart a 21-5 scoring run of their own.
Two more threes from Joba and a fast-break connection from Gonzalez and Wynott highlighted the run, capped off by a Nolan Newman-Gomez layup. Idaho had built a 93-56 advantage and closed out the victory with ease.
The whole Vandal lineup was heard from, with Will Jenson’s late dunk off the bench. Zuby Toms’ layup with just over three minutes to go sent Idaho past the 100-point threshold.
Hudson Ward led the Vandals in scoring with 17 points, going 3-7 from three and adding six rebounds and two assists. Kase Wynott was close behind with another monster game, scoring 16 points to go along with eight rebounds and seven assists.
Kristian Gonzalez and Seth Joba finished with 12 points apiece, hitting two and four three-pointers, respectively. Diego Trejo-Delgado and TJ Wal finished with 10 points apiece.
Miles Klapper complemented his seven points with seven assists, including four dimes in the first half.
Veljko Munitlak led the Oaklanders in scoring with 28 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Lalou Kalejaiye wasn’t far behind with 20 points of his own, including three three-pointers. Nathan Chatelain also had a strong performance, with nine points, six rebounds and two assists.
The Vandals will wrap up their homestand on Friday, Nov. 13, against Cal Poly before heading out on the road to face Nevada on Wednesday, Nov. 18.