FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Interstat) — Isaiah Brickner erupted for a game-high 31 points, powering the Idaho Vandals to a wire-to-wire 79-62 victory over the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Walkup Skydome.

The Vandals, who never trailed, seized control with a dominant first-half performance, building a 24-point lead by halftime and withstanding a second-half push from the home team to secure the road win. Idaho improved to 13-9 overall and in conference play, while Northern Arizona fell to 8-15.

Brickner, a 6-foot-4 guard from San Diego, was the catalyst, scoring 23 of his points in the opening period. His offensive outburst came just two days after a quiet 11-minute, four-point performance in a loss at Northern Colorado. He efficiently shot 12 for 19 from the field, including 5 of 9 from three-point range, and added two steals. His performance set the tone early as Idaho raced out to a 47-23 halftime advantage.

The most critical phase of the game was the opening 12 minutes, where Idaho constructed an insurmountable lead. After Jack Payne opened the scoring with a three-pointer on the game’s first possession, Brickner entered the contest and immediately ignited a decisive run. His personal 8-0 spurt, capped by a three-pointer and a driving layup, extended an early 8-2 lead to 16-2. Northern Arizona struggled profoundly against Idaho’s defensive pressure, committing eight first-half turnovers and shooting a frigid 9 for 28 from the field before the break. The Vandals’ offensive rating of 121.0 for the game, fueled by this early burst, starkly contrasted with the Lumberjacks’ 94.6 mark.

Northern Arizona showed renewed energy after halftime, opening the second period with a 12-4 run to cut the deficit to 51-35. Karl Poom, who led the Lumberjacks with 13 points, was active in the paint during the surge. The Lumberjacks continued to chip away, eventually pulling within 13 points on multiple occasions, the last at 62-49 following a Ryan Abelman three-pointer with just over five minutes remaining.

Each time Northern Arizona threatened, however, Idaho had an answer, often from Brickner. His corner three-pointer with 6:34 to play pushed the lead back to 65-54, and after the Lumberjacks got within 11 once more, Brickner drove for a layup and then found Seth Joba for a three-pointer to extend the margin to 70-58 with 4:53 left, effectively sealing the outcome.

Payne complemented Brickner with 15 points, four assists and seven rebounds for Idaho. Kolton Mitchell added 10 points and four assists, while Brody Rowbury contributed 10 points and a block. The Vandals shot 54.4% from the field overall and out-assisted the Lumberjacks 7-5.

For Northern Arizona, Poom’s 13 points came on 6-of-11 shooting. Kavon Bradford and Oakland Fort each scored nine points off the bench, and Chris Komin finished with eight points, two assists and two steals. The Lumberjacks were hampered by 11 turnovers and 5-of-17 shooting from beyond the arc.

Idaho, which entered the game with a 55% win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system, successfully bounced back from its loss two nights prior. The Vandals next travel to face Montana State on Thursday. Northern Arizona, coming off a home win over Eastern Washington, looks to regroup on the road at Idaho State, also on Thursday.

An announced crowd of 1,221 watched the contest at the Walkup Skydome.