The Idaho Vandals delivered a resounding 99-69 victory over the Idaho State Bengals, with Jackson Rasmussen leading the charge with 21 points. Idaho's dominant performance was evident from the start, as they outscored Idaho State 60-30 in the first half. The Vandals' 60 points in the first half marked their highest scoring half of the season, with Rasmussen scoring 14 of his 21 points in the opening 20 minutes. Idaho's 14-12 record now includes a 9-4 mark at home, where they have averaged 83.5 points per game.
Idaho's Jackson Rasmussen Scores 21 Points in Just 24 Minutes of Action
The game unfolded with Idaho taking control from the tip, using a 15-2 run to build a 25-10 lead just 8 minutes into the contest. Idaho State struggled to find their footing, shooting just 32.1% from the field in the first half, including 1-8 from 3-point range. The Bengals' Caleb Van De Griend led his team with 13 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Idaho's balanced attack, which saw three players score 17 points or more. Idaho's Kolton Mitchell added 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Isaiah Brickner chipped in with 17 points and 7 rebounds. The Vandals' 99 points marked their highest scoring output of the season, and their 30-point margin of victory was their largest since a 32-point win over Eastern Washington on January 12.
Jackson Rasmussen's 21 points led all scorers, and his 14 points in the first half helped Idaho build a commanding lead. Rasmussen shot 8-12 from the field, including 3-5 from 3-point range, and added 3 rebounds and 2 assists to his stat line. For Idaho State, Caleb Van De Griend's 13 points and 5 rebounds paced the Bengals, who struggled to find consistency on offense. Van De Griend shot 5-10 from the field, but his teammates combined to shoot just 34.5% from the field. Idaho's Kolton Mitchell and Isaiah Brickner also turned in impressive performances, with Mitchell's 7 assists and Brickner's 7 rebounds leading their respective teams.
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Final
Idaho's 60 points in the first half marked their highest scoring half of the season, and their 39 points in the second half were more than enough to secure the win. The Vandals shot 53.3% from the field, including 40% from 3-point range, and outrebounded Idaho State 41-31. Idaho State, on the other hand, shot just 38.5% from the field and committed 15 turnovers, which Idaho converted into 23 points. The Bengals' 69 points marked their 10th lowest scoring output of the season, and their 30-point margin of defeat was their largest since a 31-point loss to Montana State on January 26.
The CHD Scout model predicted an Idaho win by 6.6 points, and while the actual margin of 30 points exceeded expectations, the model was correct in picking the Vandals as the winners. Idaho's dominant performance was a surprise, but the model's prediction of a close game was based on Idaho State's recent performances, which had seen them win 3 of their last 5 games. The model missed the extent to which Idaho would dominate the game, but it correctly identified the Vandals as the better team. Idaho's 99 points marked their highest scoring output of the season, and their 30-point margin of victory was a reflection of their strength at home.
This win marked a Quadrant 4 victory for Idaho, who improved to 2-5 in Q4 games. The loss dropped Idaho State to 2-10 in Quadrant 3 games, and their NET ranking of 218 will likely take a hit. Idaho's NET ranking of 184 will likely rise, and their 14-12 record now includes a 9-4 mark at home. The Vandals' resume is still a work in progress, but this win helps to bolster their case for a potential postseason bid. Idaho State, on the other hand, must regroup and focus on their upcoming games, which include a matchup against Montana State on February 21.
Idaho's next game is against Eastern Washington on February 18, while Idaho State will face off against Montana on February 19. Both teams want to build on their recent performances, with Idaho seeking to continue their strong play at home and Idaho State aiming to bounce back from a tough loss.