POCATELLO, Idaho (Interstat) — Gus Etchison scored 36 points to lead Idaho State to a 91-76 men’s basketball victory over Montana State on Saturday at Holt Arena. The Bengals, fueled by a 50-point first half, never trailed in the Big Sky Conference matchup before a crowd of 1,686. Idaho State shot 57.6% from the field and dominated inside with 52 paint points. Montana State’s Patrick McMahon countered with 35 points, and Christian King added 17. The Bobcats cut a 20-point deficit to 10 in the second half but drew no closer. Idaho State improved to 12-17 overall, while Montana State fell to 15-13.

POCATELLO, Idaho (Interstat) — In a game defined by explosive offensive runs and a dominant individual performance, the Idaho State Bengals rode a massive first-half surge and a career night from guard Gus Etchison to a decisive 91-76 victory over the Montana State Bobcats in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Holt Arena. The contest, played before a crowd of 1,686, was a stark reversal from the teams’ meeting just a month prior, which Montana State won by 12 points. This time, Idaho State seized control early and never truly relented, improving its season record to 12-17 overall. Montana State fell to 15-13. The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the first half. After Montana State’s Patrick McMahon and Christian King connected on early jumpers for a 5-0 lead, Idaho State unleashed a devastating 27-5 run over a nine-minute span. The Bengals’ offense, often sparked by transition opportunities and interior dominance, overwhelmed the Bobcats. Idaho State shot a scorching 62.1% from the field in the opening period, scoring 50 points and establishing a 20-point halftime lead at 50-30. Central to that onslaught was Gus Etchison. The 5-foot-11 junior from Arcadia, Indiana, put on a masterclass, scoring 23 of his game-high 36 points before the break. Etchison was relentless attacking the basket, finishing through contact and also stepping out to hit three first-half three-pointers. He added eight assists, orchestrating the offense with precision. His performance built on a recent 29-point outing against Montana and proved too much for the Bobcats to contain. Montana State, which entered the game as a slight pregame favorite according to betting markets, showed fight in the second half. The Bobcats outscored Idaho State 46-41 after halftime, largely behind the efforts of forward Patrick McMahon. The 6-foot-7 junior from Palmer, Alaska, matched Etchison’s intensity, scoring 23 of his 35 points in the second period. McMahon attacked the rim consistently, drawing fouls and making 13 of 15 free throws for the game. The Bobcats trimmed the deficit to 12 points on several occasions, but could never mount a sustained threat to bring the game to single digits. Every Montana State push was answered by Idaho State, often by Etchison or forward Lachlan Brewer, who contributed 13 points and two blocks. Connor Hollenbeck added 11 points for the Bengals. While McMahon’s scoring kept Montana State within theoretical reach, the Bobcats were hampered by inefficient shooting and an inability to stop Idaho State’s offensive flow. Montana State shot just 42.1% from the field and 30.4% from three-point range. Idaho State, by contrast, finished at 57.6% shooting and dominated points in the paint, 52-30. Christian King supported McMahon with 17 points for Montana State, but the Bobcats’ defensive efforts, which included 10 steals, were negated by Idaho State’s remarkable offensive efficiency. The Bengals posted an offensive rating of 124.5, scoring 91 points on just 73 possessions, and committed only three turnovers in the second half after a sloppy start. The game’s statistical oddity was the assist column. Despite their high-powered, efficient offense, Idaho State registered only three assists as a team, with Etchison accounting for eight of the team’s 11 total assists according to the detailed play-by-play. Montana State had 10 assists but also committed 13 turnovers. The result snapped a two-game winning streak for Montana State in the series and provided Idaho State with a significant conference victory as the regular season enters its final stretch. The Bengals will host Weber State next, while Montana State returns home to face Portland State and Sacramento State.

BOBCATS, BENGALS MEET IN BIG SKY SHOWDOWN POCATELLO, Idaho (Interstat) — The Montana State Bobcats, riding the momentum of a rivalry road win, visit the struggling Idaho State Bengals in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball matchup Saturday at Holt Arena. Montana State (15-11) arrives after an impressive 82-71 victory at Montana on Feb. 14. The Bobcats have won three of their last five, showcasing an offense that has scored 80 or more points in four of those contests. A key catalyst is guard Jed Miller, who is averaging 18.5 points per game over his last six outings. Miller poured in 19 points and dished five assists in the win over Montana, following a 27-point performance in a Jan. 24 victory over Weber State. His backcourt play will be central to the Bobcats’ attack. Idaho State (10-17) seeks to halt a seven-game losing streak, most recently a 99-69 defeat at Idaho on Feb. 14. During the skid, the Bengals have allowed an average of 83.1 points per game. Forward Caleb Van De Griend has provided a bright spot, scoring 13 or more points in five consecutive games before being held scoreless in limited minutes in two contests prior to that run. He posted 13 points and five rebounds in the loss to Idaho. Montana State won the season’s first meeting, 74-62, in Bozeman on Jan. 22. The Bobcats have won four of the last five against Idaho State. The game tips off at 7 p.m. MST Saturday. Montana State visits Portland State next on Feb. 26. Idaho State hosts Weber State on Feb. 28.