MOSCOW, Idaho – The Idaho (1-19, 1-16 BSC) men's basketball team defeated Montana State (9-8, 6-5 BSC), 74-69, on Friday evening. The Vandals led for almost the entire game and withstood several Bobcat rallies to earn the victory. Damen Thacker led Idaho with 22 points.

THE GAME
The Vandals started the game hot, making five of their first six shots and leading, 13-7, with 15:34 remaining in the first half. A dunk by Tanner Christensen put the home side up by eight points and forced Montana State to take a timeout with 13 minutes left. The Bobcats responded with a 9-2 run to draw within one point, 19-18, with just under nine to play. Thacker would go on to make three consecutive three-pointers to give the Vandals a double-digit lead, but MSU would claw back again, and Idaho held a one-point lead, 38-37, at the break.
 
Montana State scored the first bucket of the second half, giving them their first and only lead of the game. Idaho responded with 12 consecutive points to give them another double digit advantage. The Bobcats would not go away easily, once again rallying, this time tying the game, 52-52, with just under 10 minutes to play. The two teams would exchange baskets as time wound down. There were four ties, including a 64-64 score with 2:21 remaining. Clutch free throws and a Thacker contested bucket from the top of the key proved to be the difference as the Vandals earned the 74-69 victory.
 
THE NOTES
Ja'Vary Christmas finished with 11 points, five rebounds, five assists, and one steal. He was 3-for-4 form beyond the arc while playing a team-high 32 minutes.
 
Idaho had 14 assists on 24 made field goals. Christmas led the way with five assists. It was the eighth time this season he has dished at least four assists.
 
The Vandals and Bobcats each pulled down 28 rebounds. Three different Vandals had five boards – Scott Blakney, Christmas, and Christensen. Idaho had eight offensive rebounds and outscored MSU, 11-0, in second chance points.
 
Idaho shot 45.3 percent (24-for-53) from the floor, while MSU was 27-for-51 (52.9 percent).
 
The Vandals were 9-for-23 (39.1 percent) from beyond the arc, while the Bobcats did not make a trey in 12 tries. The nine three-pointers were the most for the Vandals since they made 13 against CSU Bakersfield (Dec. 12).
 
The Vandals were 17-for-18 (94.4 percent) from the line. The Bobcats were 15-for-19 (78.9 percent) from the free throw line.
 
THE NAME
Damen Thacker. Thacker led the Vandals with 22 points. He was 7-for-14 from the floor and 4-for-8 from beyond the arc. He hit a contested shot with 31 seconds remaining to put the Vandals up by three points and made two free throws with three seconds to play to put the game on ice. The senior chipped in two rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the game.
 
THE QUOTES – Zac Claus
 
UP NEXT
The Vandals host Montana State for the final home game of the season. Senior Day will tip off at noon on Sunday, with the Vandals' five seniors being honored prior to the game.
 
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho men's basketball by following the team on twitter and Instagram, @VandalHoops.

For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com.  Fans can also find Idaho on Twitter and Instagram, @Idaho_Vandals, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals.