MOSCOW, Idaho– The University of Idaho Vandals Women's Basketball Team topped Colorado State 61-54 in its home opener Wednesday in Memorial Gym. After struggling from beyond-the-arc in the first ten minutes of play, the Vandals caught fire in the second quarter and went on to shoot 36.0 percent, 9-25, the rest of the way. Idaho defensively forced a tough outing for the Rams, allowing just nine points in the first quarter, and holding Colorado State to a season low 54 points in the game.

THE GAME

The Vandals struggled in the first quarter only scoring 13 points, and shooting 0-3 from three-point range, through the first 10 minutes of play, while holding Colorado State to just nine points on 26.6 percent shooting from the floor.
 
Idaho's offense began to find rhythm in the second quarter when freshman Caitlyn Jones checked in and hit three three-pointers within a two minute span, helping the Vandals to a 36-24 lead at the half.
After Colorado State began to close the gap in the third quarter, Idaho closed with a 10-6 to take a 51-37 lead in to the fourth.
 
Colorado State opened up the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run before Lizzy Klinker nailed a jumper to extend the Idaho lead to 53-48 with 5:45 remaining in the game.  
The Vandals defense would hold the Rams to just four points the rest of the way, winning 61-54.
 
Caitlyn Jones and Isabelle Hadden each led the Vandals in scoring with 12 points each, while Lizzy Klinker and Gina Marxen chipped in nine and seven, respectively.
 
THE NOTES

Idaho led by as many as 15 points, 29-34 in the third period. The Vandals scored the opening points and led the rest of the game.

Colorado State found success in the paint, outscoring the Vandals 30-16.

Idaho outrebounded the Rams 47-33, led by sophomore Gina Marxen who hauled in a team-high 12 rebounds.

The Vandals featured 31 of their 61 points off the bench, led by Jones and Hadden with 12 each. Colorado State totaled just 23 bench points.

THE NAME

Freshman Caitlyn Jones entered the game in the second quarter making her Idaho debut and within two minutes, nailed three huge three-pointers helping the Vandals to a 36-24 halftime lead. Jones totaled 12 points in the contest off the bench and finished 4-of-6 from beyond-the-arc.
 
THE QUOTES

 
UP NEXT

Idaho travel to the University of San Francisco Monday November 18^th for a 7 p.m. matchup with the Dons.