t>Power of gold 73-69, but the big test was still to come. The largest crowd in the history of the Big Sky Conference, some 11,800 fans, crammed into every corner of the Kibbie Dome to witness the crucial game with Montana. The game was also telecast live to southern Idaho. But the Kibbie Dome magic which had cast a spell over the Vandals for three yeazs and 43 home games finally wore off as the Grizzlies shocked Idaho and all it's fans by ripping the Vandals 80-61, the worst loss ever for a Don Monsoncoached Idaho team. The disappointing loss dropped their Big Sky record to 6-3, with an overall mark of 17-5. The Vandals rebounded at home the next weekend with one of their best two-game stands of the year. Opening up against a very strong Nevada-Reno team which defeated them eazlier in the season, Idaho pulled off a very impressive 88-78 victory. The win pulled the Vandals into a three-way tie for second place, behind Montana, with Reno and Weber State at 7-3. Ha ving a ball. Point guard Stan Arnold c;almly searc;hes for an open teammate amidst a stingy Nevada-Reno defense. Arnold eventually ac;ored 20 points in the Vandals' c;rudal 88-18 vic;tory. (photo b y S. Spiker)
Northern Arizona was the victim two nights later as Idaho axed the Lumberjacks 75-48 in front of a crowd of 6,500. And, thanks to a loss by Montana, joined a four-way tie at the top of the league standings. Once again, hopes of a third straight championship rose in Moscow. Those dreams, however, were quickly dashed as the Vandals dropped two road contests the following weekend to Idaho State 77-69 and Weber State 53路47 in overtime. Not only did the losses eliminate Idaho from a chance at the Big Sky title, but they also plummeted the Vandais to fourth place with an 8-5 conference mark. Despite the disappointments on the road Idaho returned home to the Dome and in front of 8,000 screaming fans, slaughtered Boise State 86-70 in a game which saw the Vandais build a 47-14 lead in the first half. It was Monson's lOOth win for Idhao and the last home game ever for seniors Phil Hopson, Brian Kellerman, Ben Ross and Kelvin Smith. And, with the impressive victory under their belts the Vandals prepared to travel to Reno, Nevada for the Big Sky playoffs and a chance for their third consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament. Clint Kendrick 0
Men's Basketball
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