Vandals beat Seattle U in WAC opener

THE VANDALS REBOUNDED FROM THE FRUSTRATING LOSS AT BOISE STATE to down Seattle University 71-64 Saturday night in the WAC opener for both schools. Senior center KYLE BARONE, a preseason First Team All-WAC selection, led Idaho with 25 points and 11 rebounds despite battling double- and triple-teams all night, while junior newcomer Robert Harris nailed three 3-pointers to give Idaho the late lead.

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Senior center Kyle Barone was exceptional Saturday, leading the Vandals (5-6, 1-0 WAC) with 25-points and 11 rebounds despite facing double- and triple-teams all night. A pre-season First-Team All-WAC selection, this was his second consecutive 20-10 game and third of the year.

- Newcomer Robert Harris, a junior guard, ignited Idaho's late-game surge, hitting three consecutive 3-pointers in the final three minutes enroute to setting a new career mark for himself at 16-points in the game.

- Sophomore guard Connor Hill scored 12-points Saturday, including going 2-of-4 from behind the 3-point arc.

- The Vandals overcame the loss of Mansa Habeeb who missed the game with the flu, while leading scorer junior forward Stephen Madison got into foul trouble early and was limited, particularly in the second half.

- Next up for the Vandals are two more WAC road contests against teams that also earned victories on the opening weekend of conference play. Idaho will play at San Jose State on Thursday, Jan. 3, at 7 p.m. (PT), and then follow up at Utah State on Saturday, Jan. 5, at 6 p.m. (PT).


READ MORE:

LINK: OFFICIAL IDAHO SITE: Vandals rally at Seattle (Story & Stats)

LINK: Idaho sinks Seattle University in WAC debut (Seattle Times)