BOISE, Idaho (Interstat) — In a game defined by offensive futility and defensive pressure, the Idaho Vandals methodically dispatched the Sacramento State Hornets 68-45 in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at CenturyLink Arena.

The contest, which served as a conference tournament quarterfinal, was never in doubt after a catastrophic first-half shooting performance by the Hornets. Sacramento State managed a mere 13 points before halftime, connecting on just four field goals in the opening 20 minutes. Their 14-for-55 shooting for the game, a frigid 25.5 percent, included a 3-for-17 effort from beyond the arc. The offensive rating of 67.1 points per 100 possessions underscored the depth of the struggle.

Idaho, while not efficient itself, capitalized on Sacramento State’s woes. The Vandals shot 35.4 percent from the field but controlled the glass with a 50-38 rebounding advantage, including nine offensive boards that led to 12 second-chance points. More critically, Idaho’s defense, led by six blocked shots and consistent rim protection, smothered any attempt by the Hornets to establish rhythm.

The most important stretch of the game came early, setting a tone from which Sacramento State never recovered. The opening ten minutes were a spectacle of missed shots and turnovers. The Hornets started 0-for-12 from the field and did not score their first points until Arman Madi made a free throw with 14:48 remaining in the first half. By that time, Idaho had already built a lead it would never relinquish.

Idaho guard Kolton Mitchell, a Coeur d’Alene native, spearheaded the Vandals’ attack with a game-high 17 points, including three 3-pointers. Forward Jackson Rasmussen added 19 points and two blocks, providing a steady interior presence. The Vandals’ ball movement was sparse, recording only three assists, but they relied on individual efforts and defensive stops to fuel their offense.

Sacramento State’s offense was fragmented throughout. Arman Madi and Prophet Johnson each scored nine points, while Jahni Summers added 10, but the Hornets’ nine assists against nine turnovers illustrated an inability to generate clean looks. Their 32-point second half offered little consolation after the disastrous start.

The Vandals improved to 18-14 on the season and advanced in the conference tournament. Sacramento State’s season ended with a 10-21 record. Idaho entered the game as a 6.5-point favorite according to sportsbooks, a line they covered with ease as the combined score of 113 fell dramatically under the posted over/under of 158.5, a testament to the defensive and offensively challenged nature of the contest.

Statistical models gave Idaho a 77 percent chance to win pregame, a projection validated by a performance that was less about Idaho’s offensive explosion and more about Sacramento State’s profound inability to score. The Vandals now move on to face Montana State on Sunday, while the Hornets head into an offseason with clear offensive issues to address.