Ernie Kent donates to cause close to his heart, wins chance to call Idaho's first play

Idaho coach Don Verlin auctioned off a chance to coach his Vandals against the Washington State Cougars. Little did he know, Cougs' coach Ernie Kent would offer up the winning $2,000 bid.

Coach Kent started the game on Idaho's bench as part of @CvC_Spokane ! #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/bzS9WWdN7J

— WSU Men's Basketball (@WSUMensHoops) December 8, 2016

And so one of the oldest rivalries West of the Mississippi--the Battle of the Palouse-- took a big step beyond the court Wednesday night in Pullman. Kent's donation went to cause near and dear to the opposing coaches' hearts: Coaches vs. Cancer.

Kent promised a Josh Hawkinson dunk and sat with Verlin on the opposing bench through two empty possessions before retreating to his team. 

The transition of power was a fun twist to the storied rivalry, but also signified a moment of unity between two coaches who have lost their fathers to cancer. 

The Cougs went on to beat the Vandals, 61-48, for Kent's first win against Idaho with WSU.