MOSCOW, Idaho—Montana State earned its sixth consecutive win over the Vandals on Saturday, 62-59. Idaho freshman Taylor Pierce got a good look from 25-feet out in the game's final second, but her game-tying shot clanked off the back of the rim.

Montana State (14-5, 7-1 BSC) turned 11-third quarter turnovers into 12 points for the Bobcats, helping erase Idaho's nine-point third quarter lead. The Bobcats outscored Idaho, 16-4, in a span of 7:22 to enter the fourth quarter with a three-point lead.  

“We had our opportunities down the stretch,” head coach Jon Newlee noted. “We gave it away at the start of the game and in that third quarter. We did not come out defensively with the intensity level that that I expected. Then 11 turnovers in the third quarter were killer.”

Idaho (13-6, 5-2 BSC) got down early, 12-4, in the game's first 3:12.  The Vandals showed their heart, battling back with consecutive 3-pointers from Karlee Wilson and Christina Salvatore. A Renae Mokrzycki layup tied the game at 16 with just over a minute to play in the quarter.

MSU's Jasmine Homes put the visitors back up by eight, 27-19, with 7:43 to play in the second quarter. A 10-2 run from the Vandals would knot the game up at 29 with five minutes to play in the half. Salvatore's second 3 of the half, put the Vandals in front for the first time, 34-32, with 1:25 to play. A pair of Ali Forde free throws gave Idaho a 36-32 lead at the break.

The Bobcats outscored Idaho 16-9 in the third quarter. Idaho was just 3-for-10 from the field. Defensively, the Vandals held their own, holding MSU to 4-of-14 shooting in the period. The difference for the Bobcats was their ability to draw fouls, going 7-for-8 from the free-throw line.

Idaho played catchup the majority of the fourth quarter, cutting into the Bobcat lead. A technical foul assessed to Coach Newlee with 3:49 to play sent Lindsay Stockton to the line. She converted her two shots, putting MSU up , 57-54. The Vandals defense held strong on the extra possession, and got a second-chance layin from Connie Ballestero, cutting the deficit to one, 57-56.  A 3 from Pierce with 2:48 to play, gave the Vandals its first lead since the just under five minute mark of the third.

Peyton Ferris free throws tied the game for the fourth time with 2:21 remaining. Idaho was 0-for-2 in the final minute of play with Forde and Pierce having shots for the tie.

“I think we are all disappointed about this one,” McCorkell commented. “We were right there. That third quarter was our Achilles heel. We will definitely use this going into the next couple games. We want to win.”

Hommes led all players with 16 points. Stockton added 14 points for the Bobcats.

McCorkell, for the second game in a row, led the Vandals in scoring with 15 points. Salvatore posted her second double-double of the week, finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds. She also led the Vandals with four assists.

Idaho is back on the road next week, visiting Sacramento State on Thursday and Portland State on Saturday.

For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com.  Fans can also follow Idaho women's basketball on Twitter, @VandalsWBB.