Vandals rally again, this time for win over Montana State

From staff reports, and wire and news services 

MOSCOW — After a slow start in an eventual loss to Montana on Thursday, the Idaho Vandals started Saturday’s game against Montana State even worse. 

Idaho fell behind the Bobcats by 21 points in the first half, trailed by 18 at halftime, then erupted for 62 points in the second half for a stunning 92-89 victory in Big Sky Conference play before 1,878 at ICCU Arena. 

“We’re trying to build a program built on toughness and physicality,” third-year Idaho coach Alex Pribble said. “When you dig yourselves a deep hole, you have to believe in what you’re doing, believe in your teammates and respond. The guys did a great job being resilient, having a ‘next play’ mentality and continuing to believe. 

Kolton Mitchell, a redshirt sophomore from Lake City High, hit two of the biggest baskets of the game for Idaho (10-6, 2-1 Big Sky). Mitchell’s step-back 3-pointer with 1:16 remaining put Idaho ahead 86-84. 

After a free throw by Patrick McMahon pulled Montana State (9-8, 3-1) within one, Mitchell drove to the left of the lane, spun and hit a turnaround jumper with 22 seconds left for a three-point lead. 

The Vandals never trailed again. 

Mitchell scored all of his 23 points in the second half for Idaho. Biko Johnson also scored 23, including a 3 with 1:56 remaining to tie the game at 83. 

With Idaho inbounding and leading by one late, Jack Payne threw deep to Johnson for a layup with 4.1 seconds left. Montana State got a good look at a 3 at the buzzer, but missed. 

Mitchell shot 8 for 18 (4 for 9 from 3-point range) from the field, and had four assists for the Vandals.  

“First half, was just trying to get to my spots, but shots weren’t going in,” Mitchell said. “Wasn’t really in a rhythm; thought I was forcing it a little bit. Second half, just settled down a little bit, got to my spots, got myself into better positions to try and make shots.”

“My blood pressure correlates directly to Kolton’s ability to make shots,” Pribble said. “We dug ourselves a deep hole in the first half, and shots weren’t falling. When he’s in a rhythm, and Bico’s in a rhythm and we’re making the shots that we work on every day, our group cumulatively settles down a little bit. 

“The fact that Kolton was confident enough to come out of the gates in the second half and do what he did shows just how much belief their is in our locker room.” 

Johnson shot 9 for 14, including 5 for 6 from beyond the arc. Isaiah Brickner added 14 points for the Vandals. 

Jed Miller led Montana State with 20 points, six rebounds and four assists. Chris Hodges added 18 points, Patrick McMahon 16 for the Bobcats, who saw their five-game winning streak end. 

“We’ve got to solve this thing, to come out of the gates,” Pribble said. “It hasn’t been an issue all season; it just started this week. Our lack of defensive intensity has been glaring, and it’s cost us.” 

Idaho plays at Idaho State on Thursday. 

IDAHO 92, MONTANA STATE 89 

MONTANA STATE (9-8) 

Hodges 8-12 2-2 18, Brown 5-7 2-3 15, Davis 4-5 0-0 9, McMahon 5-10 6-8 16, Miller 7-11 4-4 20, King 1-6 3-4 6, Steppe 2-4 0-0 5, Amunrud 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 32-55 17-21 89. 

IDAHO (10-6) 

Rasmussen 5-9 3-4 13, Rowbury 4-6 2-2 11, Johnson 9-14 0-0 23, Mitchell 8-18 3-3 23, Payne 1-5 0-0 3, Brickner 5-11 3-4 14, Joba 1-3 0-1 3, Klapper 1-2 0-0 2, Blassingame 0-0 0-0 0, Sevilla 0-0 0-0 0, Steele 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 34-68 11-14 92. 

Halftime_Montana State 48-30. 3-Point Goals_Montana State 8-14 (Brown 3-4, Miller 2-3, Davis 1-1, Steppe 1-2, King 1-3, McMahon 0-1), Idaho 13-29 (Johnson 5-6, Mitchell 4-9, Rowbury 1-1, Joba 1-3, Payne 1-4, Brickner 1-5, Rasmussen 0-1). Fouled Out_Rasmussen. Rebounds_Montana State 26 (Miller, King 6), Idaho 23 (Rasmussen 8). Assists_Montana State 12 (Miller 4), Idaho 10 (Mitchell 4). Total Fouls_Montana State 16, Idaho 19. A_1,878 (4,200). 

    IDAHO ATHLETICS Kolton Mitchell (14) of Idaho goes up for a shot against Montana State on Saturday at ICCU Arena in Moscow.