Box Score POCATELLO, Idaho- The University of Idaho Women's basketball team (20-9, 15-5) closed out the regular season with a 61-50 win over Idaho State (17-12, 13-7) in Pocatello, and improved to 20-9 on the season, including a 15-5 mark in the Big Sky. Idaho previously locked up the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament with a win against Weber State on Wednesday but close the regular season out with a fifth consecutive win Friday. The Vandals fell behind early in the game but outscored the Bengals 37-25 in the second half. Natalie Klinker led the Vandals with 15 points and 13 rebounds, in a dominating performance on the boards 50-27.


 
THE GAME

The Vandals trailed Idaho State for majority of the first period, falling behind 17-11.

After the Bengals extended their lead to eight, 19-11, just over two minutes into the period, the Vandals began a 9-0 run to take the lead, 20-9. Gina Marxen buried a three-pointer in transition to give the Vandals their first lead of the game, 20-19, at the 4:09 mark in the period. Both teams traded buckets in the final four minutes of the second period, but the Bengals took a 25-24 lead at the half following a layup form Dora Goles in the final seconds.

Idaho State began to build on the lead to open the third period before the Vandals jumped out to a seven-point lead, 36-29 following a 10-2 run. The Bengals cut Idaho's lead to five with seconds to play in the third before Isabelle Hadden drained a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Vandals an eight-point lead, 46-38, entering the fourth.

Idaho State scored the first bucket of the fourth period just 40 seconds in, cutting Idaho's lead to sic, 46-40. The Vandals held the Bengals without a point over the six minutes and jumped out to a 16-point lead, 56-40 with just 3:51 to go in the game. Beyonce Bea gave Idaho their largest lead of the game, 59-42 at the free-throw line with just 2:31 left to play.
Idaho would go on to win 61-50 for their fifth consecutive win.


THE QUOTES

Head Coach Jon Newlee
 
"It was an extremely physical game, as it always is with Idaho State. I thought we did a good job of matching that tonight. They came out strong and the crowd did a great job of supporting them. I told our team that we just had to come out and overcome the initial nerves and we did a good job as the game went on."
 
"We did a great job rebounding the basketball. I loved our energy on the glass and the physically. We just did a great job of rebounding the ball."

"Nat really took it to them and the more physical the better for her. She wasn't here for the first game against them but she went at them this time."
 
"We had some big shots, but we didn't shoot the ball well from three. Issy's shot at the end of the third really got us going into the fourth.
 
"We are moving the basketball well, locking it down defensively. It's a great battle and they are always really tough. Seton has done and great job this year and we knew it was going to be a battle, and had to be ready for it.


 
Natalie Klinker
 
"It was a tough environment to play in. Their crowd was going. We were really competing, and I tried to just do my thing and crash the boards. "

"I prefer a more physical game. It's fun. I didn't get to play against these guys the first time, so it was fun to come out and play tonight."

"Honestly one of our big games plans was getting the rebounds and taking over the boards. You have to do that to take over the game."
 

 
THE NOTES


Natalie Klinker led the Vandals with 15 points and 13 rebounds in the game. Lizzy Klinker totaled 12 points and Gina Marxen had 11.

Hailey Christopher played a big role off the bench with nine points and 10 boards. Natalie and Christopher combined for 23 of the team's 50 rebounds.

Idaho won the effort on the glass, 50-27, including 12-5 in offensive rebounds. Natalie totaled a team-high five offensive rebounds.

The Vandals outscored Idaho State in the paint 34-22 and shot 24-of-56 from the floor for 42.9 percent. The Bengals finished just 21-of-64 from the floor for 32.8 percent.


 
THE NAME


Natalie Klinker recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 15 points and 13 rebounds including five offensive rebounds. Klinker also recorded one block, one assist and two steals. Klinker was not only a force on the boards but played physical inside, drawing eight fouls.

UP NEXT

The Vandals will travel to Boise, Idaho for the Big Sky Conference Tournament. Idaho, the No. 2 seed, will face the winner of the No. 7/No. 10 matchup at 4:30 p.m. PT/5:30 p.m. MT on Tuesday Mar. 10^th.