BOZEMAN, Mont. (Interstat) — A rematch of a tight contest from earlier this season awaits when the Montana State Bobcats host the Eastern Washington Eagles in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball game Saturday.

The game tips off at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on Feb. 7, 2026.

Montana State (14-10 overall) enters with a firmer footing in the conference race, having won four of its last six games. The Bobcats are coming off a 73-66 home victory over Idaho on Thursday, led by Patrick McMahon’s 14 points. McMahon, a player to watch for the Bobcats, has been a consistent scorer, averaging 12.4 points over his last eight games, including a 19-point performance against Idaho State on Jan. 22.

Eastern Washington (6-17) snapped a two-game skid with a notable 82-74 road win at Montana on Thursday. The Eagles will look to carry that momentum into Bozeman, where they hope to avenge a 68-64 loss to the Bobcats on Jan. 8. In that first meeting, Montana State held off a late Eagles rally.

A key player for the Eagles is Alton Hamilton, who is coming off a 10-point, four-assist, two-block effort in the win over Montana. Over his last five games, Hamilton has averaged 12.6 points and has shown versatility as a scorer and defender.

The matchup pits Montana State’s stronger overall record and home-court advantage against an Eastern Washington team that just proved it can win on the road against a quality opponent. The Bobcats have been strong at home this season, while the Eagles have struggled for consistency, evidenced by their 3-7 record in their last 10 games entering Saturday.

For Montana State, a win would solidify its position in the upper tier of the Big Sky standings. For Eastern Washington, a second straight road victory would provide a significant boost and demonstrate the team’s potential as the conference schedule deepens.

The Bobcats will need to contain Hamilton and counter Eastern Washington’s confidence from its recent upset. The Eagles must find a way to solve Montana State’s defense, which held them to 64 points in the prior meeting, and overcome the challenging atmosphere of one of the league’s toughest venues.