Box Score MOSCOW, Idaho- The University of Idaho Women's basketball team (1-0,1-0) defeated Sacramento State 97-73 to open the 2020-21 season and Big Sky conference play. The Vandals featured a balanced offensive attack with six players scoring in double-figures led by senior Natalie Klinker who totaled 15. Idaho outscored the Hornets 50-38 in the second half in route to a 24-point win.

THE GAME
Idaho opened the first period on a quick 7-0 run featuring a two offensive rebounds turned into buckets for Klinker and a three-pointer for junior Gina Marxen.

Sacramento State took a brief lead in the first 11-8 before Gabi Harrington gave Idaho the lead 12-11 following a fastbreak layup at the 4:09 mark.

The Vandals finished the first period on a 16-7 run to lead by ten, 28-18 after the first.

In the early goings of the second period the Vandals and Hornets seemingly traded scores until the Vandals were able to pull away on an 8-2 run following a Harrington jumper to lead 47-33 with 33 seconds before halftime.

Idaho outscored Sacramento State 29-21 in the third period pulling away to a 76-56 lead. In the third Marxen scored five points and dished out six assists.

Junior Hailey Christopher gave Idaho a 20-point lead with eight seconds to go in the third following a fast break layup and a free throw.

The offense continued for the Vandals in the final ten minutes of play with 21 more points. Freshman Sydney Gandy gave Idaho a 32-point lead, 95-63(their largest of the game) with 3:11 to go on her way to 14 points in her debut.

Junior Rylee Alexander became the ninth Vandal to score in tonight's contest with a layup at the 1:37 mark, giving Idaho a 97-69 lead.
The Vandals topped the Hornets 97-73 for their first win of the season.

THE QUOTES






THE NOTES

Six Vandals scored in double-figures tonight led by Natalie Klinker who totaled 15 points. Beyonce Bea and Klinker each led the Vandals on the boards with 13 rebounds each.

Freshmen Sydney Gandy and Paris Atchley each contributed 14 points tonight for the Vandals. Gina Marxen added 13 points and led the team in assists with seven.

Hailey Christopher and Gabi Harrington each contributed 12 points. Allison Kirby was a force off the bench on the glass grabbing 12 rebounds. She also scored six points.

The Vandals shot 43 percent from the floor tonight while holding the Hornets to just 34.6 percent.

Idaho outrebounded Sacramento State 60-43 including 22 offensive rebounds which were turned into 28 points.

From three the Vandals were 9-for-26 for 34.6 percent while the Hornets were 11-for-33 for 33.3 percent.

The Vandals were able to limit turnovers tonight with just 10 while forcing the Hornets into 13.

Marxen posted a 7-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and finished +33 for the Vandals. Kirby was +33 tonight, leading the Vandals in that regard.

THE NAME

Natalie Klinker dominated for the Vandals tonight scoring a team-high 15 points to go along with 13 rebounds. She was 6-of-9 from the field and recorded one assist and one steal. Klinker led the Vandals in the post as they scored 56 points in the paint.

UP NEXT

The Vandals will hit face Sacramento State again tomorrow at 7 p.m. in Memorial Gym.