MOSCOW, Idaho – A 29-0 first quarter set the tone, as Idaho (2-0) took down CSUN (0-3) 106-50, on Friday night in Memorial Gym. Connie Ballestero led the way for the Vandals with a career-high 19 points.
“I couldn't believe it honestly,” said head coach Jon Newlee. “It was amazing. I haven't seen defense like that before. It was outstanding. We took the gameplan and really forced some things that we wanted to force. Just a great job by that unit in the first quarter.
“There were a lot of good things on both sides of the ball tonight. I loved our start. The players were motivated after what happened at CSUN last year, after they embarrassed us at their place. We were looking forward to this.”
The 106 points by the Vandals are the most in a game since defeating Portland State, 109-59 on February 1, 1986. Idaho also drained a school-record 17 3's. The previous high had been 15, done on January 5, 2013 against Utah State.
Idaho shot 12-of-23 (52.2%) in the first quarter, including 4-of-10 (40%) from range. The Matadors got on the board 16 seconds into the second quarter on a free throw, but didn't hit a field goal until the 5:37 mark. The Idaho defense was incredible, forcing CSUN into 10 turnovers before the Matadors finally connected on their 16th field goal attempt.
Idaho finished the game 42-of-75 (56.0%) from the field and 17-of-39 (43.6%) from beyond the arc. CSUN ended the night at 29.3 percent (17-of-58) from the field and 20.0 percent (3-of-15) from deep. Idaho outrebounded CSUN 47-26.
In all, six Vandals scored in double figures, led by Ballestero who finished the night 7-of-9 from the field and 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. Taylor Pierce scored 18 points off the bench, going 4-of-9 from 3-point range. Geraldine McCorkell had a solid night across the board, earning her first double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 boards. Renae Mokrzycki (17), Christina Salvatore (15) and Mikayla Ferenz (11) also finished the night in double-figures.
Next up, the Vandals host Seattle U. at 6 p.m. on Monday night in Memorial Gym. Tickets are available through the box office or GoVandals.com/tickets, check back with GoVandals.com for more information as the game gets closer.
For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com. Fans can also follow Idaho women's basketball on Twitter, @VandalsWBB.
