The Idaho Vandals (12-7, 4-2) continued to build momentum in Big Sky Conference play on Thursday night, taking down the Sacramento State Hornets (6-12, 2-4) 86-76 inside the ICCU Arena in Moscow behind a blistering shooting performance and key contributions from a reshuffled rotation.
Idaho shot out of the gates offensively, shooting at a 59.4% clip in the first half while burying 11 of its 21 attempts from beyond the arc. The early shooting barrage, combined with a defensive effort that limited Sacramento State star guard Mikey Williams from ever finding an offensive rhythm, gave the Vandals control of the game early and helped them secure yet another home victory.
“We can win games with our defense,” head coach Alex Pribble said after the game. “That’s the change in our identity this year, more than anything.”
The Vandals finished the night shooting 49.2% from the field and 14-for-32 from the three-point range, a stark contrast to the Hornets’ three-for-14 showing from deep. Idaho’s ball movement and shot selection stood out throughout the evening, as the Vandals consistently generated clean looks without forcing the issue.
Despite entering the game shorthanded due to illness, Idaho showed little sign of fatigue early. Redshirt junior Trevon Blassingame and freshman Jackson Rasmussen were both unavailable, forcing Pribble to adjust his rotation and lean heavily on a four-guard starting lineup alongside senior forward Brody Rowbury. The absence of Rasmussen left Idaho thin in the frontcourt, a factor Sacramento State attempted to exploit in the paint.
Still, Idaho’s perimeter scoring proved overwhelming in the opening half. Junior Jack Payne and senior Isaiah Brickner led the charge, combining for 26 of Idaho’s first 41 points. Brickner, making his first start of the season poured in 17 points in the opening half.
Idaho carried a 53-38 advantage into halftime, energized by both the offensive execution and the atmosphere inside the ICCU Arena. The announced attendance of 2,445 people marked the largest crowd of the season, and the energy from the stands did not go unnoticed.
“We needed a little extra energy jump, and that was the fans,” Pribble said. “The student section was incredible tonight. When things started to get tight in the second half, I heard defensive chants that got the guys going again. Hopefully, we can make ICCU Arena the hardest place in the conference to play.”
Sacramento State opened the second half with urgency, mounting a 12-0 run that stretched from the end of the first half into the early moments of the second. The surge trimmed the Vandals’ lead to five and briefly shifted momentum.
Redshirt sophomore Kolton Mitchell quickly responded. Mitchell halted the run with a timely three, then followed it up by pushing the pace in transition and finding senior guard Biko Johnson for a layup on the next possession to restore a double-digit lead.
As he has all season, Mitchell delivered when Idaho needed him most. He finished with 17 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals, extending his double-figure scoring streak to nine games. That mark ties him with Isaac Jones and Trevante Anderson for the third-longest streak in such by a Vandal since 2020.
Johnson continued his consistent scoring season with a game-high 20 points and four assists, marking his sixth 20-point performance of the year. Idaho is now 6-0 in games when he reaches the 20-point mark, a testament to his importance within the offense.
Brickner added 19 points to finish with his 10th double-figure scoring effort of the season, while Payne recorded his second career double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Payne’s aggressiveness on both ends stood out, particularly given his recent battle with injuries.
“His ability to not only make shots but just be aggressive and rebound the basketball at a high clip — that’s what we need from him,” Pribble said. “He’s been battling injury issues, so for him to come back and find his rhythm is a really good sign for the future.”
With Blassingame sidelined, senior guard Aiden Sevilla stepped into an expanded role off the bench and provided a noticeable spark. Sevilla logged over 20 minutes, finishing with seven points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal.
“Aiden Sevilla was fantastic,” Pribble said. “When his name was called, he brought a spark off the bench. In games like this, where you’re battling fatigue and the energy level can be low, you need something dynamic to spark you.”
Sacramento State was led by Mark Lavrenov, who posted 26 points and 12 rebounds as the Hornets outscored Idaho 44-30 in the paint. However, Sacramento State struggled to keep pace with Idaho’s perimeter shooting and ball movement, particularly during key stretches late in the game.
Four Vandals knocked down multiple three-pointers in the first half, and Idaho once again showcased its offensive balance. Thursday night marked the 11th game this season in which four or more Vandals finished in double figures, highlighting the team’s depth and unselfish approach.
The victory improves Idaho’s confidence heading into a quick turnaround, as the Vandals will host Big Sky leader Portland State (12-5, 6-0) on Saturday. The matchup carries added intrigue after Idaho eliminated the Vikings in the quarterfinals of last March’s Big Sky Conference Tournament.
The game will tip off at 2 p.m. on Jan. 24 from the ICCU Arena.