The Idaho Vandals’ remarkable run through the Big Sky Conference men’s basketball tournament continues to captivate fans and pundits alike. On March 10, 2026, the No. 7-seeded Vandals (19-14, 9-9 Big Sky) stunned the No. 3-seeded Eastern Washington Eagles (14-18, 11-8 Big Sky) with an emphatic 81–68 victory at Idaho Central Arena in Boise. With this win, Idaho secures its place in the championship game, keeping their Cinderella story alive and setting up a showdown with Montana for the conference crown.
Coming off a dramatic upset over No. 2-seeded Montana State just a day earlier, Idaho entered the semifinal as slight underdogs according to some oddsmakers, but with a better overall record and plenty of momentum. The betting lines reflected the intrigue: some sportsbooks had Idaho as a 1.5-point favorite, while others gave Eastern Washington the edge by the same margin. The over-under hovered around 148.5 to 153.5 points, highlighting expectations for a high-scoring affair. It was, after all, a clash between two teams both averaging over 78 points per game this season. But few could have predicted the level of efficiency Idaho would display on this stage.
From the opening tip, Idaho looked determined to seize control. The Vandals jumped out with two quick baskets, setting the tone before Eastern Washington’s Cole Scherer responded with a three-pointer. Kiree Huie gave the Eagles a brief lead with an offensive rebound and putback, but Idaho’s poise never wavered. The teams traded baskets in the early going, but a costly Eastern turnover allowed Idaho to claim a three-point advantage heading into the first media timeout. That lead would only grow as the Vandals began to assert themselves on both ends of the floor.
By the midpoint of the first half, Idaho had stretched its lead to 13, capitalizing on Eastern’s cold shooting from beyond the arc. JoJo Anderson’s three-pointer cut the deficit to 10 for the Eagles, and a late surge led by Huie and Alton Hamilton IV brought Eastern within three with just over four minutes remaining in the half. However, a clutch three-pointer by Idaho as the shot clock expired pushed the margin back to eight at halftime, giving the Vandals a cushion they would build upon in the second half.
Eastern Washington entered the contest with a reputation for offensive firepower, led by Isaiah Moses and Hamilton IV. The Eagles averaged 78.4 points per game and were among the nation’s better three-point shooting squads, hitting at a 36.5 percent clip. Yet, on this night, their perimeter game deserted them. Eastern managed just 15 percent from long range and shot 37 percent overall, a stark contrast to Idaho’s sizzling 50.9 percent from the field. Despite narrowly winning the rebounding battle (36–35), the Eagles simply couldn’t generate enough second-chance points or defensive stops to close the gap.
After the break, Hamilton IV tried to ignite a comeback with a driving layup, and Moses added a pull-up jumper to keep Eastern within striking distance. Huie continued his relentless work inside, scoring on a layup and a paint jumper to trim the margin to four. The Eagles made a push midway through the half, closing to within three at 49–46 after Anderson completed a three-point play. But Idaho responded with a timely scoring run, fueled by transition opportunities and sharp perimeter shooting, to restore a double-digit lead that they would not relinquish.
Eastern Washington’s final push saw Huie adding several baskets in the paint, Anderson scoring on a fast-break layup, and Elijah Thomas sinking a three-pointer. Hamilton IV chipped in with a late layup, and Straton Rogers converted two free throws in the final minute. Still, the Vandals’ composure under pressure and their ability to answer every run proved decisive. The Eagles’ inability to capitalize from deep ultimately sealed their fate, as Idaho pulled away down the stretch to secure the 81–68 win.
Kiree Huie led the Eagles with 20 points and seven rebounds, demonstrating his value on both ends. Anderson contributed 12 points, while Moses and Hamilton IV each finished with 10. Moses also dished out a team-high six assists, and Hamilton IV matched Huie’s rebounding total. However, the collective struggles from the perimeter and Idaho’s defensive rebounding prowess—one of the best in the nation—kept Eastern from ever fully closing the gap.
For Idaho, the victory was a testament to their balanced attack, size, and defensive tenacity. The Vandals entered the tournament as one of the nation’s best defensive rebounding teams and proved it once again, limiting Eastern’s second-chance opportunities and converting their own chances at a high rate. Their 50.9 percent shooting night underscored their offensive efficiency, while their ability to weather every Eastern run spoke volumes about their mental toughness.
The result also sets up a tantalizing championship showdown with Montana, a program making its third straight appearance in the Big Sky title game. Montana, led by the red-hot Money Williams—who poured in 32 points in a semifinal win over Portland State and 40 the night before against Northern Colorado—stands between Idaho and a storybook finish. The Vandals, who have now knocked off both the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds, will look to complete their improbable journey with a conference championship and a ticket to the NCAA tournament.
Tip-off for the Big Sky championship is set for March 11, 2026, at 9:30 p.m. in Boise. With Idaho’s confidence surging and Montana’s star power on full display, fans can expect another thriller. The Vandals have already defied the odds—can they do it one more time? All eyes will be on Idaho Central Arena as the Big Sky’s best battle for the ultimate prize.