Idaho walked into a tight March matchup and walked out with the kind of win that travels: a 78-74 decision over Montana State on March 9, 2026. Down four at halftime, the Vandals flipped the script with a 42-34 second half, erasing Montana State’s early edge and closing the door late.

Game flow: halftime lead, second-half reversal

Montana State (18-14) did its best work before the break, taking a 40-36 lead into halftime. But the second half tilted sharply toward Idaho (19-14). The Vandals’ 42 points after intermission not only wiped out the deficit — it created separation in a game that stayed within one or two possessions deep into the finish.

From a possession-to-possession standpoint, the math was simple: Montana State’s scoring dipped from 40 in the first half to 34 in the second, while Idaho climbed from 36 to 42. That six-point swing after halftime was the difference in a four-point final.

Turning point: Idaho’s second-half surge

The decisive stretch was Idaho’s ability to win the second half by eight. Montana State had already done the hard part — building a lead — but couldn’t match Idaho’s pace and shot-making after the break. The Vandals didn’t need a blowout run; they just kept stacking winning minutes until the scoreboard turned.

What it means going forward

For Idaho, the win reinforces a team trending in the right direction, improving to 19-14 and backing up recent form with a road result that required composure. For Montana State, now 18-14, the takeaway is more pointed: the Bobcats generated enough offense to control the first half, but couldn’t sustain that level into the final 20 minutes as Idaho dictated the closing terms.

Score by half

Halftime: Montana State 40, Idaho 36

Final: Idaho 78, Montana State 74

Second half: Idaho 42, Montana State 34