MOSCOW, Idaho—A late offensive spark from the Idaho shooters fell short on Saturday. Mikayla Ferenz and Christina Salvatore tried to fuel the Vandal comeback, combining for 24 second-half points. Eastern Washington held off Idaho just enough to outlast the Vandals, 74-66.
Eastern Washington (9-6, 3-0 BSC) held a four-point lead at the half. For just the fifth time this season Idaho would have to bounce back after a first half deficit. The comeback became much more of a task in the opening minutes of third. The Eagles opened the half on a 10-2 run, forcing Idaho into a timeout 1:42 into the third.
EWU climbed out to its largest lead of the game, 48-33, midway through third quarter. The Vandals closed the frame on a 14-6 run, getting key 3-pointers from Salvatore, Ferenz and Geraldine McCorkell.
“The start of the third was killer for us,” head coach Jon Newlee said. “Getting down 15. We saw some defensive breakdowns and our defensive intensity was not there.”
Idaho (10-5, 2-1 BSC) started the fourth with a Taylor Pierce jumper, cutting the Eagles' lead down to five, 54-49. The Eagles responded with baskets from Delaney Hodgins and Mariah Cunningham, putting EWU back up by 12 with 7:02 to play. A Salvatore trey put Idaho within four, 63-59, with 4:42 to play. Renae Mokrzycki hit 1-of-2 from the free-throw line to make it a one possession game with 3:53 on the clock.
Hayley Hodgins hit a pair of free throws to get the Eagles' lead back to six points, 66-60, with 2:48 to play. Ferenz hit her fourth 3 of the day with just over two minutes to play to get Idaho back within 3. Tisha Phillips matched Ferenz on EWU's next possession making it a six point game with 1:37 to go. Neither team hit a field goal over the next 67 seconds. Salvatore hit a 3 in the clutch with 30 seconds left in regulation, cutting the score to 69-66.
“I thought we showed a lot of heart to get to within three,” Newlee added. “We had a chance to cut it even closer I think and maybe steal one. Hats off to Eastern Washington. They came ready to play.”
The Vandals defense could not hold. Cunningham was left alone under the basket, hitting a wide open layup to go back up by five. EWU hit three free throw to close out the game.
EWU outscored Idaho in all but the first quarter. The Eagles posted 30 points in the paint compared to Idaho's 16. Eastern out-rebounded Idaho, 43-36.
The Vandal shined throughout the contest. Idaho scored 32 points in relief, led by Ferenz's season-high 18 points. Salvatore and McCorkell totaled 14 and 13 points, respectively. McCorkell added six a team-best six rebounds.
Idaho now turns its attention to its first Big Sky road trip. The Silver and Gold will head to Northern Arizona, Jan. 14, and Southern Utah, Jan. 16.
For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com. Fans can also follow Idaho women's basketball on Twitter, @VandalsWBB.
NOTES:
Idaho has now hit a 3-pointer in 242 consecutive games...Connie Ballestero hit two more free-throws on Saturday, making it 10 straight without a miss...Idaho is now 4-2 in its white uniforms...EWU's Ashli Payne totaled 16 rebounds, the most by a Vandal opponent this season...Idaho is now 1-4 when trailing at the half.
