BOZEMAN, Mont. — On March 3, 2025, Montana State University capped off its regular season with determination, defeating Idaho 75-60 on what was celebrated as Senior Night at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. The Bobcats closed out their schedule favorably, securing the No. 5 seed for the upcoming Big Sky Conference Tournament set to begin March 8. With this victory, the team has now strung together two consecutive wins, building momentum as they head toward postseason play.
Leading the charge for Montana State was redshirt junior forward Patrick McMahon, who had quite the evening, notching a career-high 23 points coupled with five rebounds. His performance proved pivotal for the Bobcats, who showcased relentless energy throughout the game. "It's been great to contribute to the team, especially on a night honoring our seniors," McMahon remarked, conveying his appreciation for the occasion and the performances he witnessed.
Six seniors took the court, each vying to leave their mark on the season's final home game. Senior forward Sam Lecholat also made notable contributions, scoring all 10 of his points in the first half. This performance was complemented by six rebounds and three assists, helping the Bobcats build their lead and celebrate their veterans. Graduate guard Jabe Mullins chipped in 10 points, five rebounds, and two blocks, rounding out the Bobcats' strong show.
Other seniors also made their presence felt; graduate forward Max Agbonkpolo scored seven points, senior forward Chika Nduka added six points, senior forward Brian Goracke had five points, and graduate guard Tyler Patterson contributed three points. Interestingly, Montana State's leading scorer, junior forward Brandon Walker, was absent from the game owing to what coach Matt Logie described as a "coach's decision," leaving some fans speculating about his future contributions.
On the opposing side, Idaho's Titus Yearout led the Vandals with 15 points, demonstrating his scoring ability throughout the contest. His efforts were supported by Isaiah Brickner and Kolton Mitchell, who each tallied 12 points and added four rebounds; Mitchell also notched two blocked shots, emphasizing Idaho's competitive spirit.
The game started with seesaw scoring until Montana State seized the lead decisively through a 9-0 run. Following this, the Bobcats manufactured another substantial scoring display with a 12-2 run, consolidifying their advantage and entering halftime with a score of 41-31.
Idaho fought back, closing the gap to within six points during the second half. Yet, Montana State was relentless, responding with a 15-4 run, extending their lead to its maximum at 75-55 after Bryce Zephir's layup with just over one minute remaining.
During the match, Montana State exhibited impressive shooting, finishing with 56% accuracy from the field. They struggled slightly from beyond the arc with 6 of 19 shooting but converted 13 of 19 free-throw attempts. Conversely, Idaho managed to shoot only 36.7%, successful on 5 of 22 tries from three-point range and 11 of 12 from the free-throw line, underscoring their inconsistent shooting performance throughout the night.
Awarding credit where it’s due, Montana State's 40 points gathered from the paint and the impressive 40 points off the bench contributed to their overall success, significantly outpacing Idaho’s 32 bench points. Nevertheless, Idaho managed to generate more shot attempts through aggressive rebounding and capitalizing on turnovers. They scored 16 points from the 12 turnovers committed by the Bobcats, but Montana State managed to respond with 12 points from the seven turnovers the Vandals committed.
Montana State finished the regular season with a record of 14-17 overall and 9-9 within the Big Sky Conference, culminating their efforts with the upcoming tournament matchup against 4-seed Idaho State. The two teams previously faced each other twice this season and split their encounters, with Idaho State winning 70-67 on January 16 and Montana State claiming victory 74-69 during their last meeting.
With Coach Logie's strategy and player performances, the Bobcats are poised to take on the Bengals once again on March 10, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., ready for the challenge and opportunity to continue their postseason run. Talk surrounding the atmosphere, energy, and depth of the Bobcats remains grand as they look to make their mark on the conference tournament stage.