In a wild overtime finish, Kolton Mitchell’s incredible night pushed the Idaho Vandals to a nail-biting 83-80 win over the Cal Poly Mustangs. Mitchell poured in 31 points, including a gutsy four-point play in the final seconds of overtime that basically sealed the deal for Idaho.
This one went down in San Luis Obispo, Calif., and honestly, both teams left it all out there. There were big moments from a handful of players on both squads.
Kolton Mitchell’s Heroics Propel Idaho to Victory
Mitchell was just on another level, racking up 31 points for the Vandals. He thrived under pressure, especially in the dying moments of overtime.
With seven seconds left, Mitchell hit a massive four-point play that put Idaho in front. That shot really showed his nerves and his knack for coming through when it counts.
Mitchell’s Impact on the Game
He also grabbed six rebounds, doing a little bit of everything. You could really see his leadership as he steered Idaho to their eighth win.
He’s just got that experience and poise you want in crunch time. Mitchell’s been a steadying force for this team.
Supporting Cast Shines for Idaho
Mitchell didn’t do it all alone, though. Biko Johnson chipped in 21 points, going 6-for-15 from the floor and hitting 7-of-8 at the line.
Johnson filled up the box score with eight rebounds, five assists, and four steals. He was everywhere—just a really versatile effort.
Trevon Blassingame’s Contribution
Trevon Blassingame made his mark too, dropping 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting. He nailed 4-of-7 from deep, which gave Idaho a real boost from outside.
His seven rebounds were big for Idaho, helping them control the glass. That three-point shooting added a nice wrinkle to their offense.
Cal Poly’s Valiant Effort
Cal Poly didn’t go quietly. Hamad Mousa was a problem all night, finishing with 33 points and 10 boards.
Mousa just kept finding ways to score and kept the Mustangs in it. He drew fouls and made his free throws count, which really stood out.
Cayden Ward’s Performance
Cayden Ward chipped in 22 points and six rebounds for Cal Poly. With five seconds left in overtime, Ward calmly sank two free throws to pull the Mustangs within one.
He played a well-rounded game and was key to keeping Cal Poly in the hunt down the stretch.
Game Recap
This one was a see-saw battle, with both teams swapping leads and making big plays late. Mousa’s three free throws with three seconds left in regulation forced overtime, setting up a wild finish.
Mitchell’s heroics in OT wrapped up a hard-fought, entertaining contest that probably left fans breathless.
- Kolton Mitchell’s Clutch Performance: Mitchell’s late-game heroics—especially that four-point play—were just huge. That’s the kind of moment you remember.
- Supporting Cast Contributions: Johnson and Blassingame both stepped up, filling key roles with their scoring, rebounding, and defense.
- Cal Poly’s Resilience: Cal Poly’s top guys, especially Mousa and Ward, showed a ton of fight. Even in a loss, they made it a battle.
Looking Ahead
With this win, Idaho bumps up to 8-4 and grabs a bit of momentum. They’ll want to ride this wave into their next stretch of games.
Cal Poly drops to 5-9, but honestly, with the way their stars played, there’s still plenty to build on for the rest of the season.
Next Challenges
Idaho’s got to keep up this level of play, especially as the competition gets tougher. Staying consistent and making plays in crunch time will be key.
As for Cal Poly, they’ll try to shake off this close loss and focus on tightening things up in tight games. If Mousa and Ward keep rolling, don’t count them out just yet.
Conclusion
This matchup between Idaho and Cal Poly? Honestly, it was college basketball at its absolute best. There were wild swings, big plays, and the kind of finish that keeps you glued to the screen.
Kolton Mitchell really stole the show. His late-game heroics—yeah, that’s the sort of thing Idaho fans will be buzzing about for a while. Cal Poly didn’t make it easy, though. Their determination showed just how tough both teams can be.
If you’re curious about every twist and turn, you can check out the full article on Fox Sports here.
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