Sacramento, CA - The Idaho Vandals tipped off their first road contest of Big Sky play in "The Nest," home of the swarming Sacramento State Hornets who had started their conference slate 1-0. 

However, in front of 587 of the Hornet faithful, it was the Vandals who put up buckets in bunches, slowly building upon a lead that they held for all 40 minutes of game action. Idaho emerged victorious and un-stung from the Nest, having put together an 80-67 win on the road.

Making his presence felt early and often was sophomore guard Jack Payne, who put together his best game as a Vandal in many categories. Not only did he lead the black and gold in scoring with 23, but did so off of four 3-pointers in 36 minutes of action, all three of which are season highs. 

Fellow sophomore Kristian Gonzalez shot a season-high 71% including 3-4 from beyond the arc and perfect on his free throws en route to 15 points of his own. Tyler Linhardt made a massive impact off the bench with 13 points and four rebounds, and Tyler Mrus finished with 11 points and a tie for the team-high with Payne with five grabs off the board.

Alongside the four Vandals in double figures, the black and gold won the turnover battle, finishing with eight to the Hornets' fourteen and were efficient offensively, shooting 49.1% as a team. Idaho made a statement up and down the roster, recording 24 bench points and allowing just five.

The win moves the Vandals to 2-1 in conference play, giving them at least a share of second place in the Big Sky in the young slate after Northern Colorado's win over Montana State. The road trips will continue for Idaho as they take on Portland State on their home court on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 2:00 PM PST.