Vandals comeback falls short at Montana

From wire and news services and local reports 

MISSOULA, Mont. — Idaho made it interesting late with an 11-0 run late, but Montana hit a key basket and four clutch free throws down the stretch to stave off the Vandals, 72-67 in Big Sky Conference men’s basketball action Monday night before 2,438 at Dahlberg Arena. 

Idaho (8-11, 3-3 Big Sky) trailed 64-50 with 5:45 left before rallying, largely with bench players. Kyson Rose, returning from concussion protocol after having not played since mid-December, scored five points during that run, including a 3-pointer that pulled the Vandals within 64-61 with 1:56 left.  

Another sub, Isaiah Brickner, had a pair of baskets for Idaho during that run. 

But Money Williams of Montana (12-8, 5-2) was money indeed, answering with a jumper in the paint. 

Idaho pulled within three twice more, but Brandon Whitney and Malik Moore of Montana each hit two free throws to keep the Vandals at bay. 

Montana won 73-71 at Idaho on Jan. 4. 

Tyler Mrus made 4 of 6 3s and led Idaho with 12 points. Brickner and reserve Tyler Linhardt each added 10 points. Rose played just four minutes off the bench, but scored eight points. 

Kolton Mitchell, a redshirt freshman from Lake City High, had five points and three assists for the Vandals. Julius Mims, a senior who played his first two seasons at North Idaho College, had four points and six rebounds. 

Whitney led all scorers with 18 points. He hit 4 of 7 from behind the arc. Jensen Bradtke added 12 points and Malik Moore scored 10. 

Idaho plays host to Northern Colorado on Thursday.

MONTANA 72, IDAHO 67

IDAHO (8-11)

Mims 1-3 2-6 4, Mrus 4-6 0-0 12, Gonzalez 3-12 0-0 6, Mitchell 0-5 5-5 5, Payne 1-3 0-0 3, Anderson 3-6 0-1 7, Linhardt 4-10 0-0 10, Brickner 3-4 3-4 10, Hardy 1-4 0-0 2, Klapper 0-0 0-0 0, Rose 2-2 3-4 8, Yearout 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 22-55 13-20 67. 

MONTANA (12-8)

Sawyer 3-4 1-2 7, Moore 3-6 2-2 10, Pridgen 4-8 0-0 8, Whitney 6-12 2-2 18, Williams 2-7 1-4 6, Bradtke 4-6 0-0 12, Patterson 3-7 2-3 9, Johnson 0-1 2-2 2, Jedkins 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-51 10-15 72. 

Halftime_Montana 37-31. 3-Point Goals_Idaho 10-24 (Mrus 4-6, Linhardt 2-6, Anderson 1-1, Rose 1-1, Brickner 1-2, Payne 1-3, Mitchell 0-1, Gonzalez 0-4), Montana 12-27 (Bradtke 4-4, Whitney 4-7, Moore 2-5, Patterson 1-4, Williams 1-5, Johnson 0-1, Sawyer 0-1). Rebounds_Idaho 30 (Mims 6), Montana 28 (Pridgen 10). Assists_Idaho 13 (Anderson 7), Montana 17 (Williams 9). Total Fouls_Idaho 16, Montana 17. A_2,438 (7,321).