The University of Idaho Argonaut

Vandal guard Steffan Johnson receives an alley-oop from teammate Mac Hopson Jan. 28 against the Fresno State Bulldogs in Cowan Spectrum. The Vandals have gone 2-1, with a blowout win in Boise against the Boise State Broncos, 79-55, since beating Fresno State. File Photo by Nick Groff/Argonaut

The outcome of the game was exactly what the Vandals wanted: a big win over a state rival. Not only did Idaho win the basketball game, Idaho outplayed and outhustled Boise State in the Taco Bell Arena.

The game was all Idaho. The Vandals knew what they had to do going into the hostile environment of Boise State and they executed well, ending in a 79-55 win over their rivals. Boise State was lacking the enthusiasm Idaho had, and it showed on the court with several Boise State turnovers and no completion.

In the previous meeting with the Broncos, Thomas had 17 points and was perhaps the main key to the Broncos win. Down in Boise, the Vandals were able to keep Thomas scoreless the entire game. Great defense and smart coverage kept Thomas from penetrating the lane to the basket.

Idaho coach Don Verlin said the win “removed a huge softball” from his stomach.

“We just got hot,” Verlin said. “… I looked up and we’re up 20 and it was like, ‘Oh my.’”

The Vandals also capitalized on Broncos turnovers giving them a large lead the entire game.

Senior Marvin Jefferson got into foul trouble early with two fouls in the first four minutes of play into the game. Senior Luciano de Souza came in for Jefferson and started scorching the net. De Souza went four for five from the 3-point line, giving Idaho a significant lead that didn’t leave them throughout the game.

“After we lost that game at home, I said we weren’t going to let that happen again,” De Souza said.

The points from De Souza’s game gave Idaho a double-digit lead that never went below 18 points in the second half.

“When your team is clicking, whether you’re in or not, it just feels good,” Jefferson said. “This has been a long time coming for Luci, it looked like the basket was twice as wide when he shot — he couldn’t miss.”

“Was it a convincing win?” Verlin said. “Yes it was.”

Idaho’s next game is against Nevada at home Wednesday night in Cowan Spectrum.