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Vandals win at Weber State

| January 31, 2025 1:05 AM

From wire and news services and local reports

OGDEN, Utah — Tyler Mrus scored 21 points and the Idaho Vandals took the lead late in the first half and never gave it up in an 82-74 victory over the Weber State Wildcats in Big Sky Conference men’s basketball Thursday night before 3,449 at the Dee Events Center. 

Mrus made 4 of 7 3-pointers, and also had six rebounds and three assists for Idaho (10-12, 5-4 Big Sky). Kristian Gonzalez added 14 points on 10 of 13 from the free throw line, and grabbed five rebounds. Jack Payne scored nine of his 12 points in the first half, and also had five rebounds and four assists. Payne hit three 3s in the first half to get the Vandals going. 

“This is the new normal; we have to expect to come into places like this and expect to win,” Idaho coach Alex Pribble said on the postgame radio interview. “I felt like the guys were poised down the stretch. The guys stayed locked in for 40 minutes. I’m proud of them.” 

Idaho led by 10 early in the second half. Weber State closed the gap to three on several occasions. 

But Julius Mims, the former North Idaho College standout, had a key block with the Vandals up four with 1:30 left. Then Kolton Mitchell, the former Lake City High star who was 0 for 5 from deep to that point, rattled in a 3 at the other end for a 73-66 Idaho lead.

Mims finished with five points and seven boards 

Blaise Threatt scored a game-high 19 points for Weber State (8-14, 2-6). He also had six rebounds and eight assists. 

Idaho plays at Idaho State on Saturday. 


IDAHO 82, WEBER ST. 74 

IDAHO (10-12) 

Mrus 6-9 5-5 21, Rose 3-7 0-0 9, Gonzalez 2-8 10-13 14, Mitchell 2-7 0-0 5, Payne 4-8 1-1 12, Linhardt 2-4 6-6 11, Mims 2-3 1-2 5, Brickner 1-3 2-2 5, Anderson 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 22-50 25-29 82. 

WEBER ST. (8-14) 

Burris 0-2 2-2 2, Koehler 3-10 5-6 13, Tew 4-5 0-2 8, Threatt 8-14 3-6 19, Vartiainen 4-8 0-2 11, Hennig 3-4 4-4 10, Cutler 2-4 1-2 5, Moore 0-2 0-0 0, N.Sarenac 2-4 0-0 6, Vucinic 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 26-53 15-24 74. 

Halftime_Idaho 36-31. 3-Point Goals_Idaho 13-36 (Mrus 4-7, Payne 3-6, Rose 3-7, Linhardt 1-2, Brickner 1-3, Mitchell 1-6, Anderson 0-1, Gonzalez 0-4), Weber St. 7-19 (Vartiainen 3-6, N.Sarenac 2-4, Koehler 2-5, Burris 0-1, Hennig 0-1, Moore 0-1, Threatt 0-1). Fouled Out_Threatt. Rebounds_Idaho 32 (Mims 7), Weber St. 27 (Threatt 6). Assists_Idaho 13 (Payne 4), Weber St. 10 (Threatt 8). Total Fouls_Idaho 18, Weber St. 23. A_3,449 (11,592).