Box Score BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Vandals women's basketball team defeated Idaho State, 66-51, on Wednesday evening. The Vandals' victory moved them into the Big Sky Championship Game which will be on Friday afternoon against the Montana State Bobcats. Lizzy Klinker led the Vandals with 13 points, while Isabelle Hadden (12 points) and Gina Marxen (11 points) also scored in double figures.
 
THE GAME

The No. 2 seed jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the first period and went on to hold a 18-11 lead heading into the second. Gina Marxen was 2-of-2 from three-point range in the period, to lead the Vandals with six points.

Beyonce Bea gave the Vandals a 13-point lead, 26-13 at the eight-minute mark in the second period. Idaho led, 28-15, with 7:26 to play until halftime, but the Bengals fought back to tie the game, with just over a minute remaining. A pair of free throws by Hailey Christopher gave the Vandals a two-point lead, 30-28, as the teams went to the break.

The third period was back-and-forth, leading to a one-point lead for the Vandals heading into the final 10 minutes. Idaho opened the fourth with a 6-0 run and continued to pour it on. Idaho took its largest lead of the game, 62-46, after Allison Kirby knocked down a pair of free-throws. Kirby had all nine of her points in the fourth period. The Vandals outscored the Bengals, 22-8, in the fourth to earn the win, 66-51.
 
THE NOTES
 
Idaho and Idaho State each totaled 36 rebounds in the game while the Vandals had an advantage on the offensive glass, 11-6. The Vandals turned the 11 offensive rebounds into seven second chance points, while the Bengals totaled zero.

Idaho's bench was a huge factor in the win, scoring 28 points, compared to just 10 for Idaho State. Senior Isabelle Hadden led the Vandal bench with 12 points and five boards, while Allison Kirby chipped in nine points and five rebounds, and Hailey Christopher added seven points and three rebounds.

The Vandals had success scoring inside tonight with 28 points in the paint, while holding Idaho State to just 10 points in the paint.

Idaho's defense proved important in the win, forcing 15 turnovers, resulting in 19 points off turnovers. The Vandals turned the ball over just five times, a season best.

Lizzy Klinker led the way with 13 points for the Vandals.
 
THE QUOTES

JON NEWLEE, ISABELLE HADDEN, LIZZY KLINKER

 
THE NAME

Isabelle Hadden was a big spark of the bench for the Vandals tonight with 12 points in just 15 minutes played. The senior also contributed five rebounds in the win and was 6-of-9 from the floor.



UP NEXT: Idaho will play Montana State in the Championship Game. The game will tip-off at 1 p.m. mountain time/12 p.m. pacific time on Friday, March 13.