Vandal Men's Hoops Victorious

It had been a long time since the Vandals last won a game in the Spectrum - about 11 months to be exact. It had been even longer since the Vandals beat a Big Sky team - a streak that had stretched back to 2004. This afternoon second year head coach George Pfeifer and his Vandal team, led by forward JORDAN BROOKS, beat Eastern Washington 58-49 in the friendly confines of the Cowan Spectrum.

Congratulation to coach George Pfeifer, his staff, and the new-look Vandal men's basketball team in recording their first win of the 2007 season in the Spectrum (Idaho beat Cascade in Memorial Gym earlier this season). In the Cowan Spectrum this afternoon Idaho dispatched Eastern Washington (3-8) by a final score of 58-49, bumping Idaho's season record to 2-6 overall. Last season the Eagles beat Idaho 85-56 in Cheney, and the year before won 68-55 in Moscow.

It had been a long time since Idaho had beaten a team of regional relevance, stretching way back to the 04-05 season when Idaho knocked off Utah State. Not since the 03-04 season had Idaho beaten anyone in the inland northwest, when they topped both Idaho State and Eastern in the same season.

Obviously, this win today felt particularly good, and will hopefully propel the team forward as they prepare for their final three non-conference games (at South Dakota State, at home against Central Arkansas, and on the road at Arizona State on December 22nd). Western Athletic Conference action starts Wednesday January 2nd when the Vandals host New Mexico State in the Spectrum, followed by Boise State in Moscow on Saturday, January 5th.

The Vandals were paced today by 6-3, 195-pound JC transfer forward Jordan Brooks and his 14-points on the night. In 26 minutes on the floor the junior connected on 5-9 field goal attempts and was 4 of 5 from the free throw line.

We will have more complete coverage of this game in the days ahead.