Idaho's Isaiah Brickner stole the show at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome, scoring 31 points and grabbing 8 rebounds to lead the Vandals to a 79-62 win over Northern Arizona. The convincing victory marked a strong performance by Idaho, who had been predicted to win by 5.5 points by CHD Scout, and ultimately exceeded that margin with a 17-point triumph.
The first half belonged to Idaho, as they stormed out to a 47-23 lead at halftime. Northern Arizona struggled to find their footing, with Karl Poom's 13 points being a rare bright spot for the Lumberjacks. Idaho's offense, on the other hand, was clicking on all cylinders, with Brickner and Jack Payne combining for 26 points in the opening period. The Vandals' hot shooting and stifling defense allowed them to build a lead that would prove insurmountable for Northern Arizona.
In the second half, Northern Arizona attempted to mount a comeback, outscoring Idaho 39-32. However, the deficit was too great, and the Lumberjacks were unable to get closer than 15 points. Ryan Abelman and Kavon Bradford chipped in with 8 and 9 points, respectively, but it was not enough to overcome the dominance of Brickner and the Idaho offense. Brody Rowbury added 10 points for the Vandals, while Payne finished with 15 points and 6 rebounds.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The win was a significant one for Idaho, as it marked a Quadrant 4 victory for the Vandals. While Q4 wins are not typically considered resume-builders, the fact that Idaho was able to take care of business against a lower-ranked opponent is a positive sign. For Northern Arizona, the loss was also a Q4 defeat, which will do little to help their already slim tournament chances.
CHD Scout's prediction of an Idaho win by 5.5 points was accurate, albeit conservative, as the Vandals ultimately won by 17. The convincing nature of the victory is a reflection of Idaho's strength and depth, and will likely boost their confidence heading into future games.
The victory improves Idaho's record to 12-9, while Northern Arizona falls to 8-14. As the season enters its final stretch, Idaho want to build on this win and continue to strengthen their resume. With a net ranking of 168, the Vandals are still on the outside looking in when it comes to tournament projections, but a strong finish to the season could change that. For now, the focus will be on continuing to win and hoping that their resume is enough to impress the selection committee.