MOSCOW, Idaho—For the third consecutive home game the Idaho Vandals used suffocating defense and a hot offensive hand to put the opposition in a unsurmountable hole at the end of the first half. Idaho outscored Weber State, 30-14, over the half's final 12:43 on it is way to a 71-42 victory in the Cowan Spectrum.
Thursday's win combined with Idaho State's loss at Eastern Washington keeps the Vandals' Big Sky Tournament hopes alive, setting up an important head-to-head matchup with Idaho State on Saturday.
“Tonight was huge win,” head coach Jon Newlee acknowledged. “It was a game we had to win to have any chance to make the Big Sky Tournament. I thought we came out and played with a lot of energy and intensity and that is what we needed to do.”
Idaho (13-15, 7-10) snagged 25 rebounds in the first half, including 15 on the defensive boards. Christina Salvatore played big inside, totaling seven rebounds. Ali Forde ignited the Vandal offense with a layup at the 12:47 mark of the half. Idaho would increase its lead to 21-10, scoring nine unanswered points. A pair of Brooke Reilly free throws with 4:49 to pushed Idaho out to a 33-16 lead. A Stacey Barr free throw capped the run before the final buzzer at 30-14, taking a 42-24 lead into the break. Idaho's defense held the Wildcats to just 5-for-19 shooting in the run, and 9-for-30 in the half.
“I thought defensively we really clamped down,” Newlee added. “Our zone got to their shooters and did not allow their 3-point shooter to get rolling. Our rebounding was excellent in that first half as well.”
Barr led the way offensively for the Vandals. She finished with a game-high 21 points and added eight rebounds. Thursday marked the 20th time the Australian senior has totaled 20 or more points this season. Forde and Connie Ballestero each finished with 12 points on the night. Salvatore wound up with nine points and a game-best nine rebounds. Sophomore guard Karlee Wilson closed the night matching her career-high in rebounds with eight, seven on the defensive glass.
Both teams began cold in the second half. Idaho's stalwart defense held the Wildcats scoreless in the first 12 minutes. WSU shot a dismal 0-for-13, while the Vandal defense fared only slightly better with a 4-for-12 performance. Weber State finished the second half shooting 14.7 percent from the field and 0-for-9 from long distance. The Silver and Gold improved to 38.5 percent shooting and 40 percent from 3-point range. Idaho outshot Weber State, 40.7-to-21.9 percent for the game.
“The last two years I think we have been a fantastic tournament team,” Barr said. “I think we have always finished those last couple games before tournament really strong and with momentum. Hopefully, we do the same thing with a win on Saturday.”
Saturday also marks the final regular-season home game for seniors Barr and Maren Austgulen, adding to the already emotional implications of the day.
“Our season will be on the line,” Barr noted. “If we win we continue on with our season. If we lose it is over. There definitely is going to be a lot of emotions. I am sure I will have a lot of emotions as well, putting on the jersey and stepping out in Cowan for the last time.”
First-tip is set for 2 p.m. PT. The two seniors will be honored in a pregame ceremony at center court prior.
NOTES
Idaho has now hit a 3-point field goal in 226 consecutive games…Forde hit her fourth career 3-pointer, while Nejra Solo converted her first career 3-point basket…Weber State's 42 points were the second lowest allowed of the season…Idaho improved to 3-3 in silver uniforms…the Vandals are now 10-5 following a loss…Barr moved into fifth all-time with 499 career free throw attempts…Forde moved into eighth all-time now with 670 career rebounds.
