Idaho ousts UMKC 73-70 in WAC

Mar 13, 2015, 08:49 pm

OGDEN, Utah -- Stephen Madison scored 26 points and Sekou Wiggs 18 as No. 5 seed Idaho battled through 19 lead changes with fourth-seeded Missouri-Kansas City to claim a 73-70 victory in the Western Athletic Conference tournament Thursday night.

Idaho (15-17), winner of five of its last six, faces top-seeded Utah Valley (20-10) in a Friday semifinal. The Vandal streak began after a one-point loss at Utah Valley Feb. 15.

Madison, Glen Dean with a 3-pointer and Mike Scott combined for a 7-0 run to build a 56-50 lead that held up down the stretch.

Nelson Kirksey drained a 3-pointer for UMKC (10-20) to pull within 72-70 with 6 seconds left, but Wiggs was fouled and hit one free throw. Madison, who finished with 17 boards, snagged the rebound as time expired.

Dean added 14 points for the Vandals, including four 3-pointers.

Martez Harrison led UMKC with 18 points, Kirksey finished with 15.