BOISE, Idaho (Interstat) — In a gritty, defensive-minded clash that saw neither team lead by more than eight points, the Idaho Vandals used a decisive second-half surge to defeat the Montana Grizzlies 77-66 in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at CenturyLink Arena.

The victory, which avenged two regular-season losses to Montana, improved Idaho’s record to 21-14, while the Grizzlies fell to 18-16.

The game’s pivotal sequence arrived early in the second half, transforming a narrow deficit into a lead the Vandals would not relinquish. Trailing 35-33 with just over 17 minutes remaining, Idaho embarked on a 12-0 run over the next three and a half minutes, flipping the momentum entirely. The spurt was fueled by defense and opportunistic scoring. Jackson Rasmussen connected on a jump shot, Brody Rowbury drilled a 3-pointer off an assist from Kolton Mitchell, and Isaiah Brickner calmly sank two free throws. The run was capped by another Rasmussen layup, pushing Idaho ahead 45-35 and forcing a Montana timeout.

Montana, led by the tandem of Te’Jon Sawyer and Money Williams who each finished with 19 points, could never fully recover. The Grizzlies managed to trim the deficit to four points on several occasions down the stretch, but each time Idaho had an answer, primarily from Brickner. The Vandals’ guard was instrumental throughout, scoring a game-high 23 points, including several critical baskets and free throws in the final minutes to stifle any potential Montana rally.

The first half was a tightly contested affair characterized by runs and counter-runs. Idaho opened the game with a 3-pointer from Brickner, but Montana responded with a 9-2 spurt to take an early lead. The Vandals clawed back, and the half featured seven ties and five lead changes. Montana took a slim 31-30 advantage into the break after Brooklyn Hicks made a pair of free throws with just over a minute remaining. Hicks finished with 11 points for the Grizzlies.

Idaho’s offensive balance proved crucial. Alongside Brickner’s standout performance, Rowbury, a Meridian, Idaho, native, provided a strong interior presence with 12 points. Kolton Mitchell of Coeur d’Alene added 11 points and three assists, while Trevon Blassingame chipped in 10 points. The Vandals’ defense was equally key, forcing 15 Montana turnovers and blocking three shots.

For Montana, Sawyer, from San Francisco, was efficient inside, making 8 of his 13 field goal attempts. Williams, from Oakland, added two assists and two blocks to his 19 points. The Grizzlies struggled from beyond the arc, however, which hampered their ability to mount a sustained comeback in the second half.

The game was a departure from the teams’ two previous meetings this season, both won by Montana by margins of six points or fewer. It also defied the pregame statistical projection, which slightly favored the Grizzlies. Idaho’s ability to control the tempo after halftime and execute in the half-court set proved the difference.

With the win, Idaho secured a season series split with its conference rival and heads into the postseason with momentum, having won three of its final four regular-season contests. Montana, meanwhile, will look to regroup after closing its schedule with a loss. Both teams now turn their attention to the upcoming Big Sky Conference tournament.