MOSCOW, Idaho - To win in the Big Sky, you have to win ugly.

That's just what Idaho Basketball did Saturday afternoon against Sacramento State, showcasing their physicality against an opponent that had some impressive size, and coming out on top, 78-76.

The Vandals found themselves in an early hole in the first half when the shots weren't falling the way they wanted, but the Hornets couldn't seem to miss, resulting in a 47-39 deficit in the ICCU Arena. 

The second half became as neck and neck as one could find in a college basketball game with 11 lead changes by the final buzzer. The effort was spurred by Idaho turning on the pressure on defense. Tyler Linhardt was tested against Sac State's bigs, who stood up to 6'10" and 7'0" tall. He didn't back down, tying for the team lead in rebounds with 6, including a crucial grab off a potential game-winning fadeaway that secured the lead for the Vandals for good. Linhardt earned 29 minutes off the bench, and made plays when the team needed it with 16 points.

The Vandals displayed their depth once again, posting yet another game with four double digit scorers. Jack Payne scored from range and up under the rim, leading the team with 21 points. Payne was fouled three separate times while shooting from beyond the arc, converting one of them and finishing 14-15 (93%) from the free throw line.

Tyler Mrus was on a tear from range on Saturday, finishing with 17 points off of five made threes. Kolton Mitchell finished with 10 off 4-10 (40%) from the field in a tight contest where every point was needed. 

After nonstop action this conference slate, Idaho gets a few more days to rest up, not returning to play until a week from Saturday, Feb. 15, in a rematch with Eastern Washington in Cheney.