MOSCOW, Idaho—The Vandal women extended its win streak to seven games on Friday, defeating Eastern Washington 85-71 in front of a packed Cowan Spectrum. The Vandals have not lost since dropping their first matchup with EWU on Jan. 12.

Mikayla Ferenz and Geraldine McCorkell helped carry the load for Idaho. Ferenz scored a game-high 29 points to go with seven rebounds and six assists. McCorkell hit a career-high six 3's to help her to 26 points. Senior Nejra Solo recorded her first career double-double, closing with career-highs in points (12) and rebounds (11).

How it Happened
Ferenz scored five early points and 3's from Taylor Pierce and Allison Kirby helped Idaho to a 13-3 start. Idaho opened 5-of-8 from the field and finished the quarter shooting 58.8 percent (10-17). The Vandal defense held EWU to just five field goals in the first quarter, holding EWU standout Delaney Hodgins to just two points.

Idaho's 3-point prowess continued into the second quarter. Ferenz hit three triples in the period, including a back to back stretch that gave Idaho a 38-25 lead at the 5:35 mark. McCorkell converted a pair of late free throws to extend Idaho's lead to 17 points. 

The Vandals closed the half with nine 3's, shooting 47.4 percent from deep. Ferenz led the way, going 4-of-6 from 3 for 18 points. McCorkell was 2-for-3 in the half with 10 points at the break. 

McCorkell hit two 3's to open the third quarter, giving Idaho its largest lead of the game at 53-34. Eastern Washington cut the Vandal lead all the way down to six, 60-54, with 1:21 left to play in the quarter. The Eagles outscored Idaho 22-15 in the quarter. 

The Silver and Gold got the lead back up to 11 with 7:19 on the clock and never let it dip back into single digits. Ferenz and McCorkell went a perfect 5-for-5 in the final quarter, combining for 14 points to help maintain the advantage. 

Keys
The Vandal defense continued to shut down the opposing offense. The Vandals have not allowed a team to score more than 72 points during the winning streak. 

The Vandals kept EWU's all-time leading scorer relatively quiet. Delaney Hodgins finished the night with 15 points, well below her 20.8 scoring average. Hodgins was 0-for-3 in the first quarter, scoring just two points from the free-throw line. 

Quotes
Head Coach Jon Newlee
Overall thoughts
"I thought we were moving the basketball great. Somebody just told me we had 13 assists in the first half. Our ball movement was really good. It was the best we have had this year. Defensively, I thought we were sticking to the game plan and playing them the way we wanted to."

On beating EWU after losing first game
"It is always back and forth with these guys. It is nice to defend your home ground. That is what we talked about. Revenge or not, we have to keep winning to keep pace with people. It was a nice home win for us. It was something we had to have. 

On Nejra Solo
"It was probably Solo's best game. Without a doubt. Her first career double-double. She did a great job of defending I thought. She was a rock in there and we needed that. I thought her offensive rebounding really got us going. By far it was her best game since she's been here."

Junior Mikayla Ferenz
On the winning streak
"I think we are just playing really well together. I think at the start we were such a new team that we were still finding our roles. I think everyone has stepped up. It is easy to forget that Allison [Kirby] is a freshman but she gets us in our offenses and is playing really well. All-around I think everybody is embracing their role."

Senior Nejra Solo
On her night
"It was just a great game. My teammates were finding me down low. It was just a great way to get out of Cowan. This is my last game in Cowan. It was a great way to get out."

Senior Geri McCorkell
On Nejra Solo's impact
"If teams don't guard inside then we just keep going to her. It makes it a lot easier for the shooters to have their shots when she is dominating down low."

Notes
Idaho's win streak is the longest since 10 in 2013-14…Idaho shot a season-high 94.1 percent from the free-throw line…Friday was the second consecutive game and Idaho player recorded a double-double…Idaho now has gone 318 consecutive games with a 3FGM…Idaho hit 13 3's on the night, its 15th game this season with 10 or more…Pierce hit two 3's on the night to move her season total to 90, three shy of tying her single-season school record.

Upcoming
Idaho finishes the season with four of its last six games on the road. The Vandals start the stretch next week visiting the Montana schools. Idaho will open with Montana State on Thursday, followed by the Lady Griz on Saturday. 

The final home games of the season will be in Memorial Gym, due to the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival (Feb. 22, 24).