POCATELLO, Idaho (Interstat) — Jamison Guerra scored 21 points to lead Idaho State to a 76-68 victory over Idaho in a men’s basketball game Thursday night at Holt Arena. The Bengals (10-8) never trailed after halftime, using an efficient offensive performance to secure the win. Idaho State shot 47.1% from the field and made 8 of 19 three-point attempts. The Vandals (10-7) struggled from deep, hitting just 4 of 26 three-pointers. Jackson Rasmussen led Idaho with 19 points. Idaho State’s Martin Kheil added 14 points and Caleb Van De Griend scored 14 off the bench. A crowd of 1,896 watched the conference opener for both teams.

POCATELLO, Idaho (Interstat) — In a crucial early-season Big Sky Conference clash, the Idaho State Bengals used a dominant performance at the free-throw line and a late surge to fend off the visiting Idaho Vandals 76-68 on Thursday night at Holt Arena. A crowd of 1,896 saw the Bengals improve to 10-8 overall, while the Vandals fell to 10-7. Both teams now hold identical 1-1 records in conference play. The game’s defining stretch came in the final minutes, as Idaho State transformed a narrow lead into a decisive victory. Leading 68-66 with just over two minutes remaining, the Bengals put the game away with an 8-0 run. The sequence was ignited by a driving layup and a free throw from star guard Jamison Guerra, followed by a critical defensive stop. On the ensuing possession, Martin Kheil sank a dagger three-pointer from the wing, assisted by Guerra, to push the lead to 74-66 with 1:07 left. The Vandals, who had fought to stay within striking distance throughout the second half, could not recover from that final blow. Guerra, a sophomore from Sherwood, Oregon, was the catalyst for Idaho State, finishing with a game-high 21 points and six assists in 30 minutes. His backcourt mate, Martin Kheil of Czechia, added 14 points, including two crucial three-pointers. Their backcourt leadership proved vital in navigating Idaho’s persistent defensive pressure. The Bengals also received a significant interior contribution from Australian forward Caleb Van De Griend, who scored 14 points on efficient shooting, providing a necessary counterpoint to Idaho’s strength in the paint. The Vandals were led by Jackson Rasmussen of Meridian, Idaho, who scored 19 points and grabbed several key rebounds. Isaiah Brickner added 12 points, and Kolton Mitchell chipped in 10 points and three assists. Idaho’s strategy was clear: attack the basket and control the interior. They succeeded in outscoring Idaho State 36-20 in the paint and attempted 31 free throws to the Bengals’ 25. However, their inability to convert those opportunities and from the perimeter ultimately doomed their efforts. Idaho’s offensive struggles were stark. The Vandals shot a frigid 4 for 26 from three-point range, a 15.4% clip that allowed the Bengals to pack the defense inside. Furthermore, Idaho missed 11 free throws, going 20 for 31 from the line. These missed chances were compounded by a less efficient offensive outing overall; Idaho scored 68 points on 69 possessions, while Idaho State needed only 64 possessions to reach 76 points. Conversely, Idaho State excelled in areas where Idaho faltered. The Bengals shot 8 for 19 from beyond the arc and were a sharp 20 for 25 from the free-throw line. Their 80% free-throw shooting in the second half, particularly in the closing moments, sealed the victory. They also protected the ball well against an active Idaho defense, committing only eight turnovers. The first half set the tone for a tight contest, with Idaho State taking a narrow 37-36 lead into the break. The Vandals’ early energy, led by Rasmussen and Brickner, kept them close despite their shooting woes. The second half saw multiple ties and lead changes, with Idaho briefly taking the lead early in the period. But each time the Vandals threatened, Idaho State had an answer, usually from Guerra or Van De Griend, until the final knockout run. The victory was a significant bounce-back for Idaho State after a road loss to Northern Colorado last week. For Idaho, the loss snapped a two-game winning streak and highlighted recurring issues with perimeter shooting that they will need to address quickly as conference play intensifies. Idaho will look to regroup quickly as they travel to face Weber State on Saturday. Idaho State, meanwhile, remains at home to host Eastern Washington, also on Saturday. The two in-state rivals are scheduled to meet again in Moscow on February 14.

POCATELLO, Idaho (Interstat) — A pair of surging Big Sky Conference backcourts will clash Thursday when the Idaho Vandals visit the Idaho State Bengals at Holt Arena. Idaho (10-6, 2-1 Big Sky) enters with momentum after a 92-89 home win over Montana State last Saturday, powered by 23 points each from guards Biko Johnson and Kolton Mitchell. The Vandals have won three of their last four. Idaho State (9-8, 2-2) is coming off an 81-79 road victory at Northern Arizona, snapping a two-game skid. The Bengals are 6-2 at home this season. The matchup features two of the league’s top scorers. Idaho’s Johnson has averaged 17.6 points over his last five games, including a 23-point performance against Montana State. For the Bengals, dynamic guard Jamison Guerra is averaging 18.2 points and 5.4 assists in his last five contests. He dropped 26 points at Northern Colorado and 22 at Northern Arizona last week. The Vandals hold a slight edge in the overall season record, but the Bengals are installed as a 3.5-point pregame favorite at home. The over/under is set at 150.5 points, suggesting a potential offensive showdown. In conference play, Idaho has shown potency, averaging 82.3 points in its three Big Sky games. Idaho State’s conference games have been even higher scoring, averaging a combined 165.5 points per contest. This is the second meeting between the in-state rivals this season, following a game in Moscow on Wednesday. The result of that contest was not provided. The game tips off a critical stretch for both teams. Idaho travels to face Weber State on Saturday. Idaho State remains home to host Eastern Washington on Saturday.