FINAL SCORE 
Idaho Vandals - 66
Montana State Bobcats - 73

SEASON RECORDS
Idaho - 13-10, 5-5 Big Sky
Montana State - 14-10, 8-3 Big Sky

VANDAL LEADERS
PTS - Kolton Mitchell (21)
AST -  Biko Johnson (3)
REB -  Isaiah Brickner (9)
BLK -  Jack Payne (1)
STL -  Trevon Blassingame (2)

NOTABLES

• Jack Payne crossed the 500-point mark in his college career
  • Payne is the sixth member of Idaho's current roster to reach the plateau and is the third player this season to do so
•  Kolton Mitchell posted his eighth 20-point effort this season, scoring 21 off a 9-18 night from the field
• Isaiah Brickner had a monster night on the defensive glass, pulling down nine boards in addition to his 10 points
• Idaho won the rebounding battle, 33-30
  • This is the 14th time the Vandals have out-rebounded their opponent
• Idaho held Montana State to 27.3% shooting from beyond the arc
  • The Vandals are the fourth team this season to hold the 'Cats to below 28% from distance

BOZEMAN, Mont. -  A 21-point effort from Kolton Mitchell and a near double-double from Isaiah Brickner were not enough for Idaho to overcome a stifling Bobcat defense, as Idaho fell to Montana State, 73-66. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 
Points were at a premium from the beginning, with Idaho finally breaking the ice after 90 scoreless seconds thanks to Jackson Rasmussen's driving layup. Only eight more were scored over the next 4:37, as both teams continued to hunt for baskets. Montana State was finally the first team to cross over the 10-point threshold at the 12:51 mark, before Seth Joba threw down a two-hand jam to cut the gap back to two. 

two hand JAM 🫐 pic.twitter.com/t6mph5sDfd

— Idaho Basketball (@VandalHoops) February 6, 2026

The 'Cats responded with a massive momentum swing in the form of a 15-2 run. Kolton Mitchell took over for the Vandals, scoring seven in 90 seconds. Joba knocked down a triple, followed by a 6-2 scoring streak from the Coeur d'Alene native to close the half and slice the difference to 10 at the break. 

Brody Rowbury opened the second half scoring, before the hosts rattled off a 10-4 run over the next 4:36 to rebuild their advantage to 14. The boys from Moscow were not done yet, however, creating an 8-3 stretch of their own to get back within single digits, while still having 12 and a half minutes to work with. 

Neither team could take control over the next five minutes, as Idaho continued to push and attempt to cut into the Bobcat advantage. Jack Payne finally got a shot to fall during this stretch, converting a catch-and-shoot corner three to cross the 500 point threshold. 

from the city of trees to 5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ career points.

congrats, jack! https://t.co/seXhqJK9iX pic.twitter.com/svk2rucwP1

— Idaho Basketball (@VandalHoops) February 6, 2026

Payne's tre gave the Vandals the kick they needed to get back within two possessions. Joba splashed his second three of the game with a minute left to make the gap just five. The Brave and Bold benefited from a missed one-and-one opportunity for Montana State, turning it into an Isaiah Brickner layup that helped the Vandals pull within three. Idaho would get no closer, though, as the Bobcats would make their free throws down the stretch to seal the deal, defeating Idaho 66-73.  

UP NEXT
Idaho will close its four-game road trip in Missoula on Saturday. Tip at Montana is set for 3 p.m. PT, with the contest airing on ESPN+, the Vandal Radio Network, and the Varsity Network App.

TICKETS
Idaho Athletics announced that all student tickets for football, basketball, volleyball, and soccer home events are free of charge for the 2025-26 academic year. To claim your tickets, visit govandals.com/tickets 

FOLLOW THE VANDALS
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