CALDWELL, Idaho (Interstat) — Tijan Saine scored 29 points and the Weber State Wildcats built a massive first-half lead before holding off a furious second-half rally by the Idaho Vandals for an 83-72 victory in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at Idaho Central Credit Union Arena.

The Wildcats, who avenged a home loss to Idaho from just over three weeks ago, improved to 13-13 overall. The Vandals fell to 13-12.

The most important part of the game was Weber State’s blistering start, which saw them seize a 23-point halftime lead that ultimately proved insurmountable despite Idaho’s explosive second half. The Wildcats opened the game on a 15-2 run, hitting three of their first four 3-point attempts while Idaho missed its first seven shots from the field. Weber State’s defensive pressure and efficient offense continued throughout the half, as they shot 52% from the field and 5-of-9 from beyond the arc. Idaho, by contrast, managed just 21 points on 29% shooting in the opening period, including 2-of-15 from 3-point range, and trailed 44-21 at the break.

Idaho emerged from halftime a transformed team, opening the second period on a 15-4 run to cut the deficit to 12 points. The Vandals’ offense, led by Isaiah Brickner’s 18 points, found its rhythm, shooting 58% from the field in the half. They relentlessly attacked the paint and chipped away at the lead, getting as close as nine points on multiple occasions in the final minutes.

However, every Idaho surge was met with a critical response from Weber State, primarily through Saine. The junior guard from Everett, Washington, was instrumental in stemming the tide, scoring 19 of his points in the second half. His driving layup and free throw with 35 seconds left pushed the Wildcat lead back to 11 and effectively sealed the game.

Weber State’s success was rooted in superior offensive execution. They posted an offensive rating of 119.4 points per 100 possessions, fueled by excellent shooting from deep (9-of-17, 52.9%) and near-perfection from the free-throw line (18-of-20, 90%). Idaho, despite its second-half barrage, finished just 9-of-30 from 3-point range for the game.

Malek Gomma added 12 points for Weber State, while Viljami Vartiainen and Nigel Burris each contributed 13. The Wildcats assisted on only four of their 28 field goals but committed just six turnovers.

For Idaho, Brickner’s 18 points led the way, with Brody Rowbury adding 11 points and Trevon Blassingame scoring nine. The Vandals won the rebounding battle 36-31 and committed only five turnovers, but their cold start was too deep a hole to escape.

The game’s total of 155 points fell under the over/under line of 158. Idaho had been a 6.5-point pregame favorite according to oddsmakers.

Weber State travels to face Eastern Washington on Saturday. Idaho will host Idaho State the same day.