In a game where neither team was able to build a significant lead, the Idaho Vandals (9-5, 1-0) opened Big Sky Conference play with an 84-81 win over the Eastern Washington Eagles (2-12, 0-1) on Saturday at the ICCU Arena in Moscow. The Vandals outlasted the Eagles in a nail-biter that never allowed either side to get comfortable.
The evening began with a tribute to Don Monson, one of the most influential figures in the history of Idaho basketball and a coach whose career bridged both programs on the floor. Monson helped shape the Vandals during his time in Moscow before later leading Eastern Washington, leaving an imprint on basketball throughout the Inland Northwest. Monson died on Oct. 1, 2025.
From the opening tip, leads changed hands and neither team was able to establish control. Eastern Washington entered the night with just two wins but plenty of experience playing tight games, and that experience showed as the Eagles repeatedly answered Idaho runs.
Idaho’s redshirt sophomore guard Kolton Mitchell had another electric performance on offense. He picked up right where he left off in nonconference play, scoring 11 points in the first eight minutes and setting the offensive tone.
By halftime, the teams were deadlocked at 37. Idaho appeared to seize control early in the second half. The Vandals came out of the locker room with renewed energy, pushing the pace and finding clean looks. A layup from senior guard Isaiah Brickner capped a surge that gave Idaho an 11-point lead with just over 11 minutes remaining, the largest advantage either team enjoyed all night.
The Eagles answered with a barrage of three pointers, hitting five in a span of less than five minutes to erase the deficit and tie the game at 63. What had looked like a potential turning point quickly turned into another momentum swing.
The final minutes were played on a knife’s edge. Former Vandal redshirt senior guard JoJo Anderson gave Eastern a late boost with a clutch three to put the Eagles ahead by four with under two minutes to play. Once again, Idaho responded through Mitchell, who buried a contested three and then attacked the basket on the next possession to reclaim the lead.
Still, the drama was not finished. Redshirt senior guard Tyler Powell’s three-pointer put Eastern back in front in the final minute. With 15 seconds remaining, senior guard Biko Johnson stepped into a 26-foot three and delivered the shot of the night, giving Idaho the lead for good. Mitchell and Johnson then converted four free throws in the closing seconds to seal the victory.
Mitchell finished with 32 points, tying his career high, in another performance that underscored his emergence as Idaho’s offensive engine. Johnson added 20 points, providing a steady presence and delivering when the moment was biggest.
Idaho’s perimeter shooting once again proved pivotal. The Vandals knocked down 11 three-pointers, extending their streak of games with at least five made threes to 60 and continuing a season-long trend of leaning on spacing and shot-making. That approach was necessary on a night when Eastern Washington dominated the glass, outrebounding Idaho 44-32 and collecting 26 offensive rebounds.
The rebounding disparity will be an area of focus moving forward, especially as conference play intensifies. Still, Idaho’s ability to overcome it spoke to a growing maturity within the group. Fast break opportunities and timely shooting allowed the Vandals to answer every punch.
For the Eagles, graduate forward Kiree Huie recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while redshirt senior guards Powell, Anderson and Isaiah Moses and junior guard Alton Hamilton IV each reached double-digits. Eastern repeatedly found ways to stay within striking distance, but Idaho’s execution in the final moments proved decisive.
With the win, the Vandals improved to 5-0 at home for the first time since the 2017-18 season and opened Big Sky play with a statement. Perhaps more telling than the record, though, was how Idaho handled the moment. In past seasons, close games have too often slipped away. This year’s team seems to embrace them.
Idaho now turns its attention to a critical home stretch, with Montana and Montana State set to visit Moscow next weekend, starting with a game against the Grizzlies at 6 p.m. on Thursday.