BOISE, Idaho (Interstat) — In a commanding display of offensive firepower and defensive pressure, the Sam Houston Bearkats ran away from the Idaho Vandals in the second half for a decisive 94-68 victory in a non-conference men’s basketball game Friday night at CenturyLink Arena.

The game was a tale of two halves, with the Bearkats flipping a halftime deficit into a lopsided win. Idaho, playing in its home state capital, held a narrow 40-37 lead at the break, but Sam Houston erupted for 57 points in the second half while holding the Vandals to just 28.

The contest was tight through the first 15 minutes of the second period before Sam Houston unleashed a game-defining run. Leading by just four points with under 12 minutes to play, the Bearkats used a 20-4 surge over the next six minutes to blow the game open. The run was fueled by stifling defense and a barrage of three-pointers, turning a competitive matchup into a rout.

Sam Houston’s offensive attack was balanced and efficient. The Bearkats dominated inside, scoring 30 points in the paint, and capitalized on Idaho’s mistakes, converting turnovers into 10 points. Their transition game was also a key factor, outscoring Idaho 10-2 on fast breaks.

Isaiah Manning led the charge for Sam Houston. The 6-foot-8 forward from Mansfield, Texas, was a model of efficiency, scoring a team-high 18 points in just 23 minutes on the floor. Manning also dished out four assists, showcasing his versatility and playmaking ability.

He was complemented by a strong backcourt performance from Justin Begg. The Houston native, standing 6 feet tall, orchestrated the offense with seven assists and added 13 points. The Bearkats also received a significant scoring punch off the bench from Jacobe Coleman. The guard from Fort Smith, Arkansas, poured in 17 points in just 19 minutes of action, providing a crucial spark.

For Idaho, the loss was a result of a second-half collapse after a promising start. Jack Payne, a Boise native, led the Vandals with 14 points, two assists and a blocked shot in 30 minutes. Jackson Rasmussen from nearby Meridian added 12 points, while fellow Meridian product Brody Rowbury contributed 11 points.

The game began with Idaho seizing early momentum. After Sam Houston’s Damon Nicholas opened the scoring with a three-pointer, the Vandals responded with a 7-0 run, capped by a Payne three-pointer. Idaho maintained its lead for much of the first half, stretching it to as many as six points on several occasions. A late three-pointer from Payne gave the Vandals their 40-37 advantage heading into the locker room.

However, the second half belonged entirely to the Bearkats. They quickly erased the deficit and methodically built their lead before the decisive run put the game out of reach. Sam Houston’s defense tightened considerably after halftime, forcing difficult shots and disrupting Idaho’s offensive rhythm.

With the win, Sam Houston improved its season record to 5-2. The victory marks their second in a row following a road win at Idaho State. Idaho’s record fell to 4-3 with the loss, snapping a two-game winning streak.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Sam Houston was projected as a significant favorite with a 73.80 percent probability to win, a forecast that proved accurate after the dominant second-half performance. The combined point total of 162 fell under the betting over/under line of 155.5.

Sam Houston now looks ahead to a road test at Oklahoma State on Tuesday. Idaho will return to Moscow to host North Dakota next Wednesday as both teams continue their non-conference schedules.