Former Lake City star Mitchell's big day leads Vandals past Pacific
Kolton Mitchell
From wire and news services
STOCKTON, Calif. — Former Lake City High star Kolton Mitchell scored a season high in points for the second time in four days, this time pumping in 32 points to lead Idaho over Pacific 95-72 on Saturday before 1,222 at the Spanos Center.
On Wednesday, Mitchell tallied 26 points in a loss at UC Davis.
On Saturday, Mitchell hit 12 of 17 from the field, including 6 of 10 from 3-point range for the Vandals (5-8). He also had six assists and three steals.
It was the first 30-point performance from a Vandal since February 2023.
Kristian Gonzalez added 20 points and six rebounds for Idaho. Julius Mims, the former North Idaho College standout, went 7 of 10 from the field to finish with 14 points, while adding nine rebounds and three blocks. Tyler Linhardt also had 14 points.
The Vandals shot 58.7 percent from the field, the highest rate for an Idaho team since Feb. 4, 2023. Idaho’s 15 made threes are the most for the Vandals against a D-I opponent since Nov. 10, 2021.
Elias Ralph led the Tigers (5-9) with 18 points and seven rebounds. Lamar Washington added 14 points, six assists and two blocks for Pacific.
Idaho returns to action Jan. 2 at home vs. Montana State to open Big Sky Conference play.
Idaho 95, Pacific 72
IDAHO (5-8)
Mims 7-10 0-0 14, Mrus 2-6 0-0 6, Gonzalez 7-11 3-3 20, Mitchell 12-17 2-2 32, Payne 2-8 0-0 5, Linhardt 5-8 1-1 14, Hardy 2-3 0-0 4, Anderson 0-0 0-0 0, Brickner 0-0 0-0 0, Stevens 0-0 0-0 0, Hatten 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 37-63 6-6 95.
PACIFIC (5-9)
Ralph 8-18 0-0 18, Fisher 4-9 3-5 11, Koulibaly 2-3 0-0 6, Krivokapic 4-9 2-2 13, Washington 5-13 2-2 14, Benton 3-8 0-0 8, Ominu 1-2 0-0 2, Gardner 0-1 0-0 0, Campbell 0-0 0-0 0, Keinys 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-64 7-9 72.
Halftime_Idaho 47-31. 3-Point Goals_Idaho 15-34 (Mitchell 6-10, Linhardt 3-6, Gonzalez 3-7, Mrus 2-5, Payne 1-5, Mims 0-1), Pacific 11-29 (Krivokapic 3-7, Koulibaly 2-3, Washington 2-5, Benton 2-6, Ralph 2-7, Fisher 0-1). Rebounds_Idaho 37 (Payne 11), Pacific 23 (Fisher 8). Assists_Idaho 24 (Payne 8), Pacific 17 (Washington 6). Total Fouls_Idaho 10, Pacific 6. A_1,222 (6,150).