MISSOULA, Mont. - The University of Idaho women's basketball team mounted a furious comeback in the consolation game of the University of Montana Holiday Classic, falling just short in a, 66-61, loss to Canisius College, Friday afternoon in Missoula, Mont.
"The kids showed tremendous character tonight, I was pleased with how they played, this was a real breakthrough game in terms of playing smart," Coach Mike Divilbiss said. "The kids are doing better playing to their strengths on offense. We were quicker and crisper and we made adjustments on defense and offense. Even more important to me is that the kids are pleased with how they played tonight. There was a 2:30-3 minute spurt late in the game that we didn't execute, but we fought back and we were right there, right in the game."
With the loss Idaho falls to 3-8 on the season. The Vandals begin Western Athletic Conference play next week. Canisius improves to 8-5 with the win.
"This was a real important game for us heading into conference play," Divilbiss said. "The team needed to feel good about its development. Last night we made some breakthroughs, but tonight we went to another level. I don't know if people realize how well we played against Wyoming. This was a breakthrough weekend, and we can do nothing but get better.'
Liz Witte had the hot hand from behind the arc as the junior transfer was 6-11 from behind the 3-point line. She finished with a game-high 24 points. Katie Madison also had a solid night for Idaho, the true freshman finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Liz shot the ball well particularly in the second half," Divilbiss said. Five of her 3-pointers came in the second half. "She was confident and she got her stroke going this is what we expect from her. I watch the entire team shoot well in practice it's just matter of bringing it to game."
Charlotte Otero was a spark plug for the Vandal offense all night as she had seven assists and only two turnovers. The Vandals diminutive guard also pulled in three rebounds.
"Charlotte had a big night for us too, she had seven assists and only two turnovers," Divilbiss said. "She played all 40 minutes and she took care of ball the entire time."
Idaho opened the scoring in the game when Madison connected on two free throws giving the Vandals the early, 2-0, lead. Canisius came back and went on a 15-4 run to open up a, 15-6, lead. Abby Radunske had four points for the Golden Griffins in the run.
The Griffins kept the pressure up as they continued to push their lead, stretching it to as much as 14 points after a lay up by Megan Lyte made the score, 27-13. Idaho cut into the Griffins lead as Madison had four of the Vandals final nine points in the first half, making the score, 31-22, at the break.
Idaho opened the second half on a hot streak, fighting its way back into the game by scoring nine unanswered points, six of them from Madison, to tie the game at 31. A Madison free throw then gave the Vandals their first lead since the game's opening minutes, 32-31.
A, 14-9, run by Canisius restored the Griffins lead and made the score, 45-41, with just over 12 minutes to play. Over the next seven and a half minutes Canisius stretched their lead back to 12, leading, 60-48.
It was here that Idaho began a furious push to get back into the game outscoring Canisius, 13-6 over the games final minutes. The Vandals cut the lead to as little as one possession making it a three point deficit when Madison hit on a lay-up with :28 seconds to play in the game. Key free throws from Radunske and Jessie Lamparski ended the Vandals hopes of a comeback.
The Vandals return to action when they open WAC play by hosting Fresno State, Jan. 4, in the Cowan Spectrum. Tip off is set for 7 p.m.
