MSU falls to the Vandals in Starch Madness

The road to the NCAA championships ran through Idaho once again as Starch Madness returned to Boise. The MSU men’s and women’s basketball teams arrived with their seasons on the line and a shared opportunity to make a deep tournament run.

This year’s Starch Madness took place from March 7 to 11 at the Idaho Central Arena. The Big Sky Conference’s annual postseason tournament allows teams to qualify for the NCAA championships, turning every game into a win-or-go-home situation. As the Bobcats tipped off in Idaho, the margin for error disappeared — and the stakes could not have been higher.

The men’s team took to the court on March 8, falling 78-74 to the University of Idaho (UI) Vandals. The loss may have ended the men’s season, but the ‘Cats didn’t leave the court without a fight.

MSU led the scoreboard 40-36 in the first half. Forward Christian King and guard Jeremiah Davis each tallied 12 points, while guard Jed Miller added 10.

In the second half, the Vandals fought back from a deficit to beat MSU 78-74 and advance to the next round of the tournament.

"Hats off to Idaho, they played a terrific game," said Bobcat Men’s Head Coach Matt Logie.“Obviously, when your season comes to an end, there are so many things to reflect upon, but the thing that just stands out the most about this year's Bobcat team — [Patrick McMahon and Miller] in particular — is the way that they've inspired their teammates and our community with the resilience that they've shown in overcoming so much.”

The women’s team took the court against the University of Montana (UM) Lady Griz on March 8, and ‘Cats prevailed in a 78-57 win.

Within the first quarter, MSU stacked up 23 points to the Lady Griz’s 7.

"We just tried to focus on that [first] quarter," said Women’s Basketball Head Coach Tricia Binford. "We try to take each quarter one at a time as far as keeping teams in check."

The Lady Griz clawed back in the second quarter, matching the Bobcats' 17 points. MSU stood at 23-14 in the third. UM quickly responded and secured 15-19 in the fourth, but it wasn’t enough to match the ‘Cats. MSU claimed the victory with a score of 78-57 and moved on in the tournament, as the Grizzlies' season ended.

"Hats off to Montana State," UM Women’s Head Coach Nate Harris said. "They shot it incredibly well."

The ‘Cats went on to face the Eastern Washington University Eagles in the third round of the tournament.

The score sat at 66-69 Eagles in the fourth, as both teams battled on the paint for the win.

Guard Isobel Bunyan in-bounded the ball across from the benchline with only 14.3 seconds of play left in the quarter, and found guard Brianne Bailey, then forward Addison Harris and finally the net, tying the game, 69-69.

"I watched it go up and, like, touch the ceiling," Harris said. "I'm pretty sure I saw God reach down and touch the ball; it touched heaven and went straight through, perfect swish. Never seen anything better."

The game went into overtime and guard Taylee Chirrick made two free throws, giving the Bobcats a three-point lead.

The final score was 79-77, as the ‘Cats won and advanced to the finals.

The Bobcats fell 60-57 to the University of Idaho (UI) Vandals on March 11, allowing UI to claim the 2026 Big Sky Championship title.

The Vandals stood 18-13 at the end of the first quarter and had the early lead in the second. The Bobcats responded with a 13-4 run, jump-started by a three-pointer from forward Teagan Erickson and a triple from guard Kaydence Couture. UI responded quickly and led the first half 36-31.

The Vandals stretched their lead in the second half, despite the Bobcats' relentless shots from the three-point line. Throughout the game, MSU struggled from the field, hitting just 35 percent.

"I think they've had a very consistent season all year. They relentlessly fight on every single possession. I couldn't be more proud,” Binford said.

Though both teams' seasons came to an end, the ‘Cats left their mark in Boise.

“I think all of us will look back on this and wonder what could have been,” Logie said. “But to come a possession or two away from a regular-season title and show the grit and determination that [these athletes] have throughout the season has just been incredibly inspirational.”