Mitchell ties career high as Vandals hold off Eastern
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 3 months AGO
IDAHO ATHLETICS Idaho sophomore guard Kolton Mitchell, the Lake City High product who tied his career high with 32 points, sports a patch commemorating "Don Monson Legacy Night" during Saturday's game vs. Eastern Washington at ICCU Arena in Moscow.
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MOSCOW — Former Lake City High star Kolton Mitchell matched his career high with 32 points, and Biko Johnson hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 21 seconds left as the Idaho Vandals held off the Eastern Washington Eagles 84-81 in the Big Sky Conference men’s basketball opener for both teams Saturday before 2,083 at ICCU Arena.
Mitchell, a redshirt sophomore point guard, hit 6 of 9 3-pointers, and also had three steals and two assists for Idaho (9-5).
“Special performance from Kolton, but that’s what Kolton does,” Idaho coach Alex Pribble said on the Idaho postgame radio show. “He loves playing in this gym. He gets things going, and he gets fired up and plays with a big chip on his shoulder. Kolt’s special; he can have these kind of nights at any given time. They even went to a little diamond-and-one to try and deny him a little bit, and that opened up things for other guys on the court.”
Idaho led by 11 points midway through the second half before Eastern (2-12) rallied.
Jojo Anderson, who played at Idaho last year, hit a 3-pointer with just under 2 minutes left to boost Eastern’s lead to 76-72.
Mitchell answered with a 3, then hit a driving lefty floater off the glass with 55 seconds left to put Idaho up 77-76.
Tyler Powell hit a 3 with 38 seconds left to put Eastern back on top, before Johnson, who finished with 20 points, followed with his big 3.
Anderson missed a 3 from the right wing at the horn.
“First half, just trying to be aggressive, get to my spots," Mitchell said. “I think I’m growing as a player, knowing when to take those shots, and when not. ... I felt like I took the right shots.”
Kiree Huie had 16 points and 11 rebounds for Eastern, which totaled 26 offensive rebounds.
“It’s going to be a hard film to watch,” Pribble said. “I’m glad we can watch it with a win. We’ve taken a lot of pride all year in our ability to defensive rebound, be physical, hold box-outs and battle ... and tonight, credit Eastern, they punked us inside with their physicality.”
“Tough loss, no question about it,” EWU associate head coach Ryan Lundgren said. “Kolton Mitchell really got in the flow early and made some tough ones down the stretch.”
Idaho played without injured starters Jack Payne and Kristian Gonzalez.
The game was part of “Don Monson Legacy Night,” honoring the former Idaho coach who led the Vandals to the Sweet 16 in 1982. Monson died in October at age 92.
His son, Dan Monson, is the Eastern Washington head coach.
On Thursday, Idaho plays host to Montana, and Eastern Washington is home vs. Montana State.
IDAHO 84, EASTERN WASHINGTON 81
EASTERN WASHINGTON (2-12)
Hamilton 4-9 2-6 10, Marquardt 2-5 0-0 4, Anderson 3-15 2-2 11, Moses 6-9 2-2 15, Rogers 2-3 0-1 4, Huie 5-12 6-8 16, Radford 2-10 3-3 8, Powell 3-5 1-2 10, Thomas 1-2 1-1 3. Totals 28-70 17-25 81.
IDAHO (9-5)
Rasmussen 3-6 0-0 7, Rowbury 1-2 2-2 4, Blassingame 2-4 2-3 7, Johnson 5-12 8-10 20, Mitchell 10-15 6-8 32, Joba 2-7 3-6 7, Brickner 3-7 0-0 7, Steele 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 26-53 21-29 84.
Halftime_37-37. 3-Point Goals_Eastern Washington 8-22 (Powell 3-5, Anderson 3-8, Moses 1-2, Radford 1-3, Hamilton 0-1, Thomas 0-1, Marquardt 0-2), Idaho 11-29 (Mitchell 6-9, Johnson 2-7, Rasmussen 1-1, Blassingame 1-3, Brickner 1-4, Joba 0-5). Fouled Out_Moses. Rebounds_Eastern Washington 41 (Huie 11), Idaho 29 (Rowbury 8). Assists_Eastern Washington 12 (Moses 6), Idaho 6 (Blassingame, Mitchell 2). Total Fouls_Eastern Washington 23, Idaho 19. A_2,083 (4,200).