Montana State University-Bozeman's Worthington Arena played host to a highly competitive matchup between Montana State and Idaho, with the Bobcats ultimately emerging victorious 73-66. As predicted by CHD Scout, Montana State took the win, albeit by a slightly larger margin than the predicted 4.1 points. The actual score of 73-66 fell short of the predicted 77-73, but the outcome was spot on.
The first half saw Montana State take control, with the Bobcats heading into the break up 36-26. Jed Miller was instrumental in this period, using his all-around skills to help his team gain the upper hand. Miller finished the game with 15 points and 6 rebounds, one of three Montana State players to reach double figures. Patrick McMahon and Seth Amunrud also made significant contributions, scoring 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Idaho's Kolton Mitchell was the standout performer for the Vandals, scoring a game-high 21 points. Mitchell's efforts were complemented by Biko Johnson and Isaiah Brickner, who added 11 points and 10 points, respectively, to the Idaho tally. However, despite this strong individual performance, Idaho was unable to overcome the balanced attack of Montana State.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The second half saw Idaho attempt to mount a comeback, outscoring Montana State 40-37. However, the deficit from the first half proved too great to overcome, and Montana State held on for the 7-point win. The Bobcats' ability to maintain their composure and close out the game will be a valuable asset as they move forward in their season.
The victory for Montana State is classified as a Quadrant 3 win, while the loss for Idaho is also a Quadrant 3 game. Given the similar net rankings of the two teams, this result will likely have a limited impact on their respective tournament chances. However, for Montana State, this win is their seventh in the last ten games, demonstrating a level of consistency that matters in the push for a postseason berth.
As the season progresses, Montana State want to build on this performance, using the balanced scoring and defensive solidity on display against Idaho as a foundation. With a record of 14-10, the Bobcats are well-positioned to make a strong finish to the regular season. For Idaho, the task will be to regroup and refocus, using the lessons learned from this game to drive improvement and secure a favorable position in their conference standings. The loss drops Idaho to 13-10, but with a strong finish, they can still bolster their tournament resume.