In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday night, Idaho earned a 82-77 victory over Kansas City in Kansas City, Missouri. Jack Payne led the way for the Vandals, contributing significantly with 17 points, eight rebounds, and four steals, helping his team improve to a 4-5 record for the season.

Kristian Gonzalez added 16 points to the tally for Idaho, shooting 6 of 12 from the field overall, which included a 1 for 4 effort from beyond the arc, and he was 3 for 4 from the free-throw line. Tyler Linhardt also made a solid impact, scoring 15 points on efficient shooting, hitting 5 of 8 attempts and making 3 of 5 from three-point range.

On the other side of the court, the Kangaroos fell to a record of 4-6 despite a standout performance from Anderson Kopp, who secured 22 points. Jamar Brown contributed 17 points, along with seven rebounds and two steals, showcasing his all-around skills for UMKC. Meanwhile, Jayson Petty chipped in with 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to clinch the win for his team.

Overall, it was a competitive game that displayed the talents of both squads, but Idaho ultimately emerged victorious in the close encounter.