Montana State University-Bozeman took care of business at home, defeating Idaho State 74-62 in a non-conference matchup. The Bobcats' victory was fueled by Jed Miller's impressive performance, as he led the team with 20 points and 6 rebounds. This win was predicted by CHD Scout, who had Montana State winning by 5.2 points, and although the margin was larger than expected, the outcome was spot on.
The game got off to a competitive start, with Idaho State trailing by just four points at halftime, 38-34. However, Montana State's depth and balanced attack was too much for the Bengals to handle in the second half. The Bobcats' Patrick McMahon chipped in with 19 points and 9 rebounds, while Davian Brown added 13 points to the effort. This collective performance allowed Montana State to pull away and secure a 12-point victory.
Idaho State's Gus Etchison did his best to keep his team in the game, scoring 20 points and dishing out 5 assists. Caleb Van De Griend also had a notable performance, recording 11 points and 10 rebounds. Despite these efforts, the Bengals were unable to overcome Montana State's strong team defense, which held them to just 28 points in the second half.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The win improves Montana State's record to 12-8, and while it may not be a marquee victory, it is a Quadrant 4 win that helps to solidify their resume. On the other hand, Idaho State falls to 10-10, and this loss will be classified as a Quadrant 2 defeat. The Bengals want to bounce back from this setback, but for now, they will have to regroup and refocus.
Montana State's victory is a reflection of their ability to take care of business against teams they are expected to beat. With this win, they have avoided a potentially damaging loss to their tournament chances. As the season progresses, the Bobcats must continue to rack up wins like this one to stay in the conversation for a postseason berth. For now, they can take pride in a job well done, and Jed Miller's standout performance will be a key talking point as they move forward. This result may not have been an upset, but it is a significant win for Montana State, and it will undoubtedly have a positive impact on their tournament resume.