BOZEMAN, Mont. (Interstat) — In a rugged, defensive-minded Big Sky Conference clash defined by physicality and free throws, the Montana State Bobcats avenged a narrow loss from earlier in the season by grinding out a 73-66 victory over the Idaho Vandals on Thursday night at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.

A crowd of 2,655 watched as the Bobcats, leveraging a decisive advantage at the foul line and a disruptive defensive performance, improved to 14-10 overall. Idaho, despite a valiant effort and a significant edge in interior scoring, fell to 13-10.

The game’s pivotal sequence arrived late in the second half, transforming a tense, back-and-forth affair into a contest controlled from the charity stripe. With Montana State clinging to a 65-63 lead and just over three minutes remaining, the Bobcats’ Seth Amunrud sank a crucial floating jump shot to extend the margin to four. Idaho’s Isaiah Brickner answered with a tough turnaround jumper to keep the deficit at two, but the Vandals would get no closer.

Over the final 2:03, the game was decided at the free-throw line. Montana State, which finished an efficient 26 of 30 from the stripe, closed the game by making 8 of 10 free throws in the closing minutes. Idaho, by contrast, attempted only nine free throws all night, making eight. The Bobcats’ Jed Miller and Jeremiah Davis were particularly clutch, combining to hit six consecutive free throws in the final 35 seconds to seal the win, part of a larger 17-2 disparity in made free throws that proved insurmountable for the visitors.

The contest was a stark contrast in styles. Idaho dominated the paint, outscoring Montana State 44-32, and attempted 13 more field goals. However, the Vandals’ offense was plagued by inefficiency, shooting just 42.2% from the floor and a frigid 4 of 19 from three-point range. They also committed 14 turnovers, which Montana State converted into 17 points.

Montana State’s offense was not prolific from the field either, shooting 43.1%, but it was markedly more careful with the ball and capitalized on its opportunities. The Bobcats committed only eight turnovers and assisted on 10 of their 22 field goals. Their defense was omnipresent, registering 10 steals and seven blocked shots, with Chris Hodges swatting four attempts and altering countless others.

Idaho’s Kolton Mitchell led all scorers with 21 points, relentlessly attacking the rim. Biko Johnson added 11 points and three assists for the Vandals, while Seth Joba contributed 10 points off the bench.

Montana State’s victory was a balanced effort. Patrick McMahon led the Bobcats with 14 points, while Jed Miller scored 15, including several key free throws down the stretch. Seth Amunrud provided a vital spark off the bench with 11 points, and Jeremiah Davis also chipped in 11. Christian King anchored the interior with nine points, and Chris Hodges was a defensive force with eight points, three blocks, and several key rebounds.

The first half set the tone for the defensive struggle. Montana State built a 36-26 lead at the break, primarily by holding Idaho to 34.4% shooting and forcing nine Vandal turnovers. Idaho’s offense found more rhythm in the second half, scoring 40 points, but could never string together enough stops to overtake the Bobcats, who answered nearly every Vandal basket.

The win gives Montana State a season split with Idaho, after the Vandals won a 92-89 shootout in Moscow on Jan. 10. Both teams continue their conference schedules on Saturday, with Idaho traveling to face Montana and Montana State hosting Eastern Washington.