Bobcats turn back Vandals in Big Sky opener 72-58

From staff reports

BOZEMAN – One cold shooting stretch was enough to sink Idaho in a Big Sky Conference opener on Thursday.

Jubrile Belo paced Montana State with 19 points and eight rebounds, and the Bobcats took control late in the first half to earn a 72-58 win over Idaho in a men’s basketball game.

Divant’e Moffitt led Idaho (6-8 overall) with 19 points, hitting 8 of 20 from the floor, and Nigel Burris and Trey Smith added 11 and 10, respectively.

Tyler Patterson hit five 3-pointers and scored 17 points for the Bobcats (8-6), who ended the first half on a 16-4 run to take a 34-20 lead into halftime.

Idaho converted just two field goals during that stretch covering 8 minutes.