BOISE, Idaho (Interstat) — The top-seeded Idaho Vandals and the third-seeded Montana Grizzlies will meet Wednesday night with an NCAA Tournament berth on the line in the championship game of the Big Sky Conference men’s basketball tournament.

The Vandals (20-14), who earned a double-bye into the semifinals, enter on a four-game winning streak after dispatching Eastern Washington 81-68 on Tuesday. Montana (18-15) advanced with a 75-72 victory over Portland State on Tuesday, its third win in four games.

The teams split their regular-season series, each winning on their home floor. Montana claimed the most recent matchup, 73-68 in Missoula on Feb. 7. The Grizzlies also won in Moscow on Jan. 8, 79-73, giving them a potential psychological edge in the neutral-site finale at Idaho Central Arena.

The game features a compelling backcourt showdown. Idaho is led by guard Biko Johnson, who is averaging 13.2 points over his last five games and scored 19 in the win at Montana State on March 8. Montana counters with the conference’s hottest scorer in Money Williams. The guard is averaging a staggering 31.5 points over his last four contests, including a 40-point outburst against Northern Colorado and a 32-point performance Tuesday.

Idaho’s path to the final has been marked by balanced scoring and stout defense, holding opponents to an average of 62.3 points during its current streak. Montana has relied heavily on Williams’ offensive fireworks, needing every bit of his production in close victories over Portland State and Northern Colorado this week.

The Vandals seek their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1990. The Grizzlies last danced in 2019. Wednesday’s winner will hear its name called on Selection Sunday.

Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. EDT. The game will be televised on ESPN2.