RENO, Nevada - Yinka Olorunnife had 18 points and nine rebounds, and Rachele Kloke had 10 points and 10 boards to lead the Idaho women's basketball team to its second straight road win, beating Nevada 61-56 in overtime in the Western Athletic Conference opener for both teams Thursday night.
The Vandals were plus-six in turnover margin and out-scored the Wolf Pack 9-4 in overtime to ensure the victory. Nevada entered the game with the best record in the WAC and falls to 11-3 (0-1) on the season, while Idaho improves to 8-5 (1-0) in 2010-11.
Keri Arendse went 5-for-5 from the free throw line for the Vandals, including 4-for-4 in the overtime period, and finished with seven points, six rebounds and four steals. Derisa Taleni had nine points, Ganeaya Rogers had six and Jessica Graham finished with four for the Vandals.
The Vandals led by as many as nine points at 49-40 with 7:20 to play in the game, but the Wolf Pack would battle back. Nevada went on a 10-0 run to take a 50-49 lead with less than two minutes to play. Olorunnife tied the game at 50-50 with a free throw with 1:44 to play, and Kloke gave the Vandals a 52-50 lead with 46 seconds left, but Nevada forced overtime with a jumper by Kayla Williams with 17 seconds to play.
All nine of Idaho's points in the overtime period came from the free throw line, as the Vandals connected on 9-of-10 free throws in the extra frame despite going 0-of-5 from the field.
Idaho shot just 33.3 percent (19-of-57) from the field, but held Nevada to 36.8 percent (21-of-57) and just 2-for-13 from 3-point range. The Vandals hit 3-of-16 3-pointers (18.8 percent) and led the turnover battle 22-16.
The Vandals owned a 43-41 advantage in rebounding and scored 19 points off turnovers, to Nevada's seven.
Nevada was led by 22 points and 12 rebounds from Shavon Moore, while Tahnee Robinson, the WAC's leading scorer, was held to 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting.
Idaho finished with four blocked shots in the game, including two from Kloke and one each from Ashley Walters and Olorunnife.
The Vandals will return home for the first time since Dec. 8 when they host Fresno State on Jan. 10. Idaho will play six of its next seven games at home in the Cowan Spectrum after playing 10 of its last 11 on the road.