MOSCOW, Idaho – The Evergreen Geoducks dropped 13 three-pointers but it wasn’t enough to sneak past the University of Idaho as the Vandals picked up the 96-72 victory in an exhibition men’s basketball game on Friday night at Memorial Gym in Moscow, Idaho.
The Vandals, members of the NCAA Division I Western Athletic Conference, scored the first six points of the game, holding the Geoducks scoreless for nearly three minutes. In what would turn out to be a fitting start, Evergreen got on the scoreboard for the first time with 17:10 to play in the first half on a three-pointer by Patrick Lewis (Bremerton, Wash./Olympic College).
Evergreen got within one-point with 11:48 to go in the opening period on a three-ball by transfer Julian Holliday (Tacoma, Wash./Yakima Valley CC) but they couldn’t take the lead. Idaho built the advantage back up, taking a 41-30 lead into the locker room at half.
In the second half, the Vandals continued to slowly build the lead, pulling ahead by 21 with 5:50 left to play on a lay-up by Connor Hill. Evergreen kept playing hard in the second half and actually improved on their shooting percentage from the field, making 13 of 33 second-half chances for 39.4%. Despite the improved shooting, the Vandals were able to use a deeper bench to collect the 96-72 win as Evergreen suited up and played just six players for the exhibition contest.
The Geoducks were led by a game-high 27 points from senior forward Marice Tolliver (Tacoma, Wash./Lower Columbia College). Holliday came off the bench to add 19 while Tyrell Stephens (Tacoma, Wash./Mt. Tahoma HS) and Travis Wagner (Federal Way, Wash./Green River CC) each added 10 points.
Idaho was led by 19 points off the bench from Wendell Faines. Hill and Kyle Barone each added 13 while Dazmond Starke chipped in 12 points. Stephen Madison scored 11 points in the win while Barone, a preseason All-WAC selection, led all players with 18 rebounds to collect the non-counting double double.
Evergreen will next be in action on Nov. 8 when they travel to Lacey to take on rival Saint Martin’s in another exhibition. The Geoducks first counting game will be on Nov. 11 when they travel to Billings, Mont. to take on Rocky Mountain College.
