Looking for their first conference win of the season, the Vandals hit a wall on their trip out of state to Bozeman and Missoula, Montana.
Montana State
Montana State University beat Idaho 72-58 with a defensive pressure that only allowed the Vandals to score 20 points in the first half. The Vandals went 5/19 from three-point range on the night, with only four players able to hit a three. Meanwhile, the Bobcats were able to hit half of their total three-point attempts.
Idaho was also unable to feast in the paint as junior forward Isaac Jones was held at 3/6 and fifth-year guard Divant’e Moffitt went for 8/20. The Vandals scored only 24 points in the paint while Montana State was able to grind out 32 points. Idaho’s bench was also outperformed with 15 points to Montana’s 33.
Another glaring flaw was Idaho’s 11 turnovers. The Bobcats were able to score 20 points off Idaho’s mistakes. The Vandals were unable to return the favor as they only scored six points off eight turnovers from the Bobcats.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom as Idaho mostly faltered in the first half, picking up the pace in the second. However, their opponent was operating on all cylinders throughout both halves, making it too little too late for the Vandals to turn on the gas. A slow start, and inability to reach their potential, had Idaho leaving Bozeman with a devastating loss.
University of Montana
The University of Montana followed a similar path to the Montana State game. The Vandals were only able to score 24 points in the first half, eight of which were free throws. On the other hand, the Grizzlies put up 43 points, dominating Idaho in the first half.
The biggest difference between the two games was the Griz didn’t continue their hot three-point shooting in the second half. Idaho still committed more turnovers, 11 to the Grizzlies’ six. Moffitt had another off night going for 1/12 from the field and 1/4 from three. Despite being cold from the field, he was able to convert most of his free throws, hitting 6/7.
Jones was able to bounce back from his previous performance and lead the team in scoring with 25 points. However, Idaho only made 16/46 shots while the Grizzlies hit 25/58 of their shots. The Vandals were unable to convert or stay efficient, letting the Griz coast by for the win.
Idaho’s rematch against MSU will be on Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. at ICCU Arena. Their second game against UM will be at the tail end of the schedule on Feb. 27 at 6 p.m., also at ICCU Arena.
Ricky Simmons can be reached at [email protected]