CHENEY, Wash. (Interstat) — In a critical late-season Big Sky Conference clash defined by a blistering individual performance and a resilient collective answer, the Idaho Vandals withstood a 28-point onslaught from Eastern Washington’s Isaiah Moses to edge the Eagles 85-81 on Monday night at Reese Court.

The victory, played before a crowd of 1,729, completed a regular-season sweep for Idaho over its conference rival and bolstered its positioning heading into the league tournament. The Vandals improved to 17-14 overall, while Eastern Washington fell to 13-18.

The game’s central narrative was the duel between Moses, the Eagles’ dynamic guard from Anchorage, Alaska, and Idaho’s balanced offensive attack. Moses was spectacular, playing 36 minutes and scoring his game-high total on an array of step-back jumpers, pull-up shots, and drives, keeping Eastern Washington within striking distance throughout the night. He was supported by Jojo Anderson of Spokane, who had 15 points and five assists, and Alton Hamilton of Fontana, California, who added 20 points and two blocks.

Idaho, however, countered with depth and timely execution. Five Vandals scored in double figures, led by Jackson Rasmussen of Meridian, Idaho, with 14 points. Biko Johnson of Carson, California, scored 13 of his 13 points in the second half, including several crucial baskets in the final minutes. Jack Payne of Boise, Idaho, added 12 points, while Trevon Blassingame of Auburn, Washington, and Aidan Sevilla of San Ramon, California, chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The most important stretch of the game came late in the second half as Idaho navigated a tense final minute to secure the win. After an Anderson three-pointer brought Eastern Washington to within 74-71 with 1:14 remaining, Idaho’s Blassingame answered immediately with a clutch three-pointer off an assist from Johnson to push the lead back to six.

Moses then drove for a layup to make it 77-76 with 34 seconds left, but Johnson responded again for Idaho, converting a layup on the ensuing possession. Following an Eastern Washington timeout, Moses missed a potential go-ahead three-pointer. Hamilton secured the offensive rebound, and Anderson found him for a layup while being fouled. Hamilton completed the three-point play, tying the game at 79 with 19 seconds remaining.

On the ensuing inbound play, Idaho’s Brody Rowbury of Meridian was fouled and sent to the line. He missed the first free throw but calmly sank the second to give Idaho an 80-79 lead. Eastern Washington’s final possession resulted in a missed three-pointer by Anderson, and Johnson secured the defensive rebound. He was fouled and made both free throws with two seconds left to seal the four-point victory.

The game began with Eastern Washington seizing early momentum, fueled by Moses. He scored eight quick points as the Eagles opened a 16-9 lead midway through the first half. Idaho struggled to find its offensive rhythm early but closed the half on a 12-4 run, capped by a three-pointer from Isaiah Brickner in the final minute, to take a 34-30 lead into halftime.

The second half evolved into a back-and-forth affair with nine lead changes. Eastern Washington’s Hamilton and Anderson provided consistent scoring alongside Moses, while Idaho relied on its distribution, tallying 20 assists on the night. The Vandals’ ability to get key stops in the final minute, particularly on Moses’ late three-point attempt, proved decisive.

The game defied pregame expectations, as Eastern Washington entered as a 2.5-point favorite with a 73.8% probability to win according to one statistical system. The combined score of 166 also surpassed the over/under line of 152.5.

With the win, Idaho secured its second victory over Eastern Washington this season, having also won 84-81 in Moscow on Jan. 3. The Vandals will look to carry this momentum into the Big Sky Conference tournament.