MOSCOW - Four players scored in double digits, Idaho shot .556 as a team and the Vandals ran away with their season-opening exhibition over St. Martin's by an 87-61 margin Friday night.
In front of a packed house of 1,472 fans at Memorial Gym, Idaho showed offensive efficiency by spreading the ball and attacking the basket. Four players, led by senior Steffan Johnson's 14, scored double-digit points, while nine different players registered an assist.
"Last year I thought we were a little predictable as far as who had to score the ball for us night in and night out for us to win," Idaho head coach Don Verlin said. "This year, I think we have a lot more options that way. I was telling them before the game that if we can get four or five guys in double figures, that really makes us hard to guard."
Senior guard Mac Hopson dropped in 12 points, along with five assists and two rebounds, while senior center Marvin Jefferson and junior guard Shawn Henderson also added 12 points each. Redshirt freshman Kyle Barone also had a near double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.
While he was happy with the team's offensive output, Verlin said there were still a couple areas that the team needs to shore up before heading into next weekend's season opener at Utah.
"We have to get better defensively," Verlin said. "I didn't think we were solid all night in post defense. We've got to get better in that area."
Verlin also mentioned free throws as another area of need, as the team hit just 15 of 24 for the game.
"We've got to get better at (free throws), obviously," Verlin said. "That will come as we keep practicing."
Johnson, Barone and Henderson led the way as the newest Vandal players put on a display to complement the returners.
Johnson led the team in scoring, Barone led in rebounding and Henderson provided a spark off the bench by nailing his first five baskets, while freshman Corey Stern hit four of five for eight points, and junior Jeff Ledbetter dished four assists and nabbed two steals.
The first half saw Idaho attack the basket early and often. The Vandals raced out to a 17-2 lead, of which 12 points came in the paint.
Idaho held a double-digit lead for the remainder of the half, as the team moved the ball with ease and played unselfishly. Idaho went into the half with a 45-29 lead and had 10 players with points already notched.
The second half was played at a slower tempo, but the results were still the same. Henderson hit five of his six shots in the second, and Jefferson hit four-of-six in the post area. Idaho extended its lead to as many as 27 points on two occasions before settling for the final.
With the win, Idaho will now move on to game preparation for its season opener at Utah on Nov. 13. The Vandals open the season with three straight road games, two of which are against 2009 NCAA Tournament teams.
