Idaho didn’t need a dramatic finish — just a steady one. The Vandals separated over the final 20 minutes, winning 81-68 over Eastern Washington on March 11, 2026, at a venue listed as TBD.
Game flow: Idaho’s second-half control
After a competitive opening half, Idaho carried a 36-28 lead into the break. Eastern Washington kept contact after halftime, but Idaho consistently answered, winning the second half 45-40 to turn a manageable margin into a comfortable road-style result.
The math tells the story: Idaho won both halves. That’s usually the cleanest signal of a team that dictated terms — especially in a game without overtime and without the volatility of a late collapse.
Turning point: Winning the margin minutes
Eastern Washington’s path required flipping the game with a strong second half. Instead, Idaho matched — then edged — every push. Even with the Eagles scoring 40 after halftime, Idaho’s 45-point response kept the game from tilting and steadily widened the gap.
What it means going forward
Idaho (20-14) adds another win to a strong season profile and does it in a way that travels: build a halftime edge, keep scoring, and avoid the kind of empty possessions that invite a comeback. The Vandals came in with a WWWWL recent form line and leave with a result that reinforces their baseline.
For Eastern Washington (14-19), the loss lands as another reminder of the thin margins in a season that has swung between results (LWLWW entering the game). The Eagles were better offensively after halftime, but the inability to win either half left no runway to steal it late.
Final score
Idaho 81, Eastern Washington 68 (Idaho led 36-28 at halftime; second half: Idaho 45, Eastern Washington 40).