SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — Biko Johnson scored 25 points to lead Idaho to an 86-80 victory over Sacramento State in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Colberg Court. The Vandals (15-13) never trailed after halftime, using a 14-of-34 performance from 3-point range to offset 16 turnovers. Jackson Rasmussen added 18 points for Idaho. Mark Lavrenov led the Hornets (9-18) with 20 points and Prophet Johnson had 15 points and six assists. Sacramento State shot 28 of 33 from the free-throw line but was outrebounded 15-5 on the offensive glass. A crowd of 2,895 saw Idaho sweep the season series.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — In a game defined by offensive rebounds and three-point shooting, the Idaho Vandals held off a persistent Sacramento State Hornets squad for an 86-80 victory in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball game Saturday night at Colberg Court. The Vandals, who led for the entirety of the contest after scoring the first seven points, improved to 15-13 overall and 8-7 in conference play. The Hornets fell to 9-18 and 4-11. The most critical phase of the game unfolded late in the second half. After leading by as many as 10 points, Idaho saw its advantage whittled down to a single possession. With just over three minutes remaining and clinging to a 77-75 lead, the Vandals’ offense stalled, committing turnovers on consecutive possessions. Sacramento State’s Prophet Johnson capitalized on the second, stealing the ball from Idaho’s Biko Johnson and assisting Arman Madi for a layup that tied the game at 77 with 3:49 left. The sequence threatened to complete a Hornets comeback, but Idaho responded with the decisive run. On the ensuing possession, Jackson Rasmussen grabbed an offensive rebound and scored a putback layup to put Idaho back ahead. After a defensive stop, Rasmussen struck again, draining a crucial three-pointer from the wing with 29 seconds left, assisted by Brody Rowbury, to extend the lead to 82-78. Sacramento State could not answer, missing its final three field goal attempts as Idaho sealed the game at the free-throw line. The Vandals’ victory was built on a significant advantage in second-chance opportunities and perimeter efficiency. Idaho hauled in 15 offensive rebounds, leading to 18 second-chance points and a plus-10 margin on the glass overall. More importantly, they shot 41.2% from beyond the arc, making 14 three-pointers compared to Sacramento State’s 6-for-19 performance. Biko Johnson led all scorers with 25 points for Idaho, fueled by a 5-for-11 night from three-point range. Jackson Rasmussen added 18 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for a double-double, while Brody Rowbury provided a vital 14 points and 7 rebounds off the bench. Sacramento State was led by Mark Lavrenov’s 20 points and 9 rebounds. Prophet Johnson filled the stat sheet with 15 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals, and Arman Madi also scored 15. The Hornets were efficient at the free-throw line, making 28 of 33 attempts, but were ultimately undone by Idaho’s three-point barrage and rebounding dominance. Despite committing 16 turnovers, which Sacramento State converted into 19 points, Idaho’s offensive rating of 113.4 points per 100 possessions proved superior to the Hornets’ 108.6. The Vandals also managed the game’s final minutes effectively after the late tie, scoring on four of their final five meaningful possessions. The game was a mirror of the teams’ first meeting on Jan. 22 in Moscow, which Idaho also won 86-76. The Vandals have now won five of their last seven games. Sacramento State, despite the loss, has shown improved form after a difficult start to conference play, having won three of its previous six entering Saturday. Idaho returns home to host Northern Arizona on Thursday. Sacramento State begins a two-game road trip at Montana on the same night. Attendance was 2,895.

Preview: Idaho Vandals at Sacramento State Hornets SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — A pair of Big Sky Conference teams heading in opposite directions will meet Saturday when the Idaho Vandals visit the Sacramento State Hornets at Colberg Court. Idaho (14-12, 8-5 Big Sky) enters the matchup with momentum from a dominant 99-69 victory over Idaho State on Feb. 14. The Vandals have won two of their last three and sit in the upper half of the conference standings. Sacramento State (9-16, 5-8) has dropped three consecutive games, including a 79-74 road loss to Northern Arizona on Feb. 14, and is looking to stabilize its season. The Vandals won the first meeting this season, 86-76 at home on Jan. 22. Idaho’s balanced attack will be keyed by guard Kolton Mitchell, who is coming off an efficient 18-point, 7-rebound, 7-assist performance in the win over Idaho State. Mitchell has averaged 12.3 points and 4.4 assists over his last seven games. The Hornets will counter with high-scoring guard Prophet Johnson, who has been a bright spot during their recent skid. Johnson is averaging 24.6 points over his last five contests, including a 35-point outburst in a win over Weber State on Feb. 2. His ability to create offense will be crucial for a Sacramento State team that has struggled defensively, allowing an average of 83.6 points during its three-game losing streak. Idaho has shown more consistency in conference play, particularly at the offensive end, while Sacramento State has relied heavily on Johnson’s scoring. The Hornets are 6-4 at home this season, however, and will need a strong defensive effort to contain Idaho’s rhythm after the Vandals shot 56.7% from the field in their last outing. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. Following this game, Idaho will host Northern Arizona on Feb. 26, while Sacramento State begins a road trip at Montana on the same date.