Idaho turned back Eastern Washington University, 83-76, and though the Vandals made an early bid to pull away, and they were able to overcome an Eagles’ second-half run, EWU had its deficit within four points, 72-68, with about four minutes to play and were within five points with less than a minute to go.

MOSCOW, Idaho — Kristian Gonzalez’s 20 points helped Idaho defeat Eastern Washington 83-76 on Saturday night.

Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (12-8, 3-4 Big Sky) at Idaho Vandals (9-11, 4-3 Big Sky) Moscow; Saturday, 3 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Northern Arizona faces Idaho after Trenton McLaughlin scored 20 points in Northern Arizona's 70-61 victory over the Eastern Washington Eagles.

Kolton Mitchell, the redshirt freshman from Lake City High, scored all 11 of his points in the first half. He also finished with five rebounds and three assists.

Eastern Washington Eagles (6-11, 2-2 Big Sky) at Idaho Vandals (7-10, 2-2 Big Sky) Moscow; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Jack Payne and Idaho host Nic McClain and Eastern Washington in Big Sky play Saturday.

In a Vandals-Eags hoops doubleheader, the Idaho men beat EWU 83-76 in a game that Idaho led for 37-and-a-half minutes but could not put away until the closing minutes. UI women’s hoops coach Arthur Moreira said it was his team’s best home crowd of the season against an opponent tougher than its losing record may suggest.

MOSCOW, Idaho – Olivia Nelson tied her career high 29 points – a mark she has now reached four times – to lead Idaho over Eastern Washington University, 67-57. The Vandals are 12-4 and 4-1 in the Big Sky Conference. EWU slipped to 6-11 and 2-3.

Northern Colorado Bears thought they called game after a Jaron Rillie layup with three seconds to go. Kolton Mitchell had other ideas. His contested heave at the buzzer swished through the basket, ending UNC's unbeaten run through the Big Sky at six games.

Jack Payne (Idaho mbb): To beat the Eagles with a shorthanded lineup, the Vandals will need to turn to Boise native Jack Payne to continue his hot streak. Payne posted a career-high 23 points at Sacramento State on Jan. 9. He is averaging 9.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

Check out this week’s college sports schedule, complete with basketball, tennis, track and field, swimming and wrestling events for Big Bend, Central Washington, Eastern Washington, Gonzaga and Washington State.

MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) Kristian Gonzalez's 20 points helped Idaho defeat Eastern Washington 83-76 on Saturday ... Mason Williams led the way for the Eagles (6-12, 2-3) with 21 points.

UNC’s loss snapped the conference-leading Bears’ 8-game winning streak dating to mid-December, and ended a 6-game winning streak to start the Big Sky Conference season.