CHICAGO -- Connor Hill paced Idaho with 27 points and hit two key free throws with seconds remaining in helping Idaho edge Chicago State 79-76 on Thursday night.

Idaho (13-17, 6-9 Western Athletic Conference) broke out to a 44-30 halftime lead over the Cougars after landing seven 3-pointers in the half.

The Vandal long-range effort cooled in the second period and costly turnovers allowed Chicago State (12-18, 7-8) to narrow the Idaho lead to 68-63. Later, Chicago's Quinton Pippen hit a trey at 2:13 and the Cougars trailed Idaho by one, 72-71.

Idaho failed to score a field goal in the final 9:45 of the game but Sekou Wiggs and Stephen Madison hit 9-of-13 free throws down the stretch to help preserve the 3-point win.

Madison scored 17 along with 9 rebounds, while Wiggs recorded 16 points for the Vandals.

Matt Ross led Chicago State with 25 points and eight rebounds.