Box Score FLAGSTAFF, Arizona –The University of Idaho women's basketball improved to 4-4 overall and 3-1 in Big Sky play defeating Northern Arizona (5-3, 3-1) 66-59, handing them their first home loss of the season. The Vandals' defense stifled NAU's offense early on while pouring on points in the first and led 22-10 after ten minutes. The Vandals avenged a Thursday night loss Saturday afternoon as
Gina Marxen led the way scoring 15 points. Four players scored in double-figures including
Natalie Klinker (14) who also led the Vandals on the boards with 15 rebounds. Idaho fought off a Lumberjack comeback in the final minute and a half finishing on a 6-0 run in route to their third Big Sky win of the season.
THE GAME
Idaho opened the game off to a much better offensive start than Thursday's game beginning on a 7-2 run. Northern Arizona began to find some offensive midway thought the first and cut Idaho's lead to five, 15-10 with 2:44 remaining. Nau would go scoreless the rest of the period.
Beyonce Bea capped a 7-0 run for Idaho following a layup with 28 seconds remaining to lead 22-10 at the end of the first.
NAU opened the second period with a layup cutting into Idaho's lead, but was unable to come within ten the rest of the way. A 6-0 run capped with a
Sydney Gandy three-pointer extended the Vandals' lead to 17, their largest of the game, 34-17 at the 3:21 mark in the second. NAU closed out the half on a 5-2 run, but the Vandals led 36-22 at the break.
The third period was all Lumberjacks as they began mounting a comeback and outscored Idaho 22-14 in the period. NAU's Khiarica Rasheed scored 15 of her 19 total points in the third period and trimmed Idaho's lead to four late in the third period. Idaho closed out the final 90 seconds of the third on 4-2 run from the free-throw line, holding a six-point lead, 50-44, at the end of the period.
Idaho and NAU shared short scoring spurts in the fourth before a 5-0 run made it a one-point game, 60-59 at the 1:58 mark. Idaho's defense held NAU scoreless the rest of the way finishing on a 6-0 run from the free-throw line to win 66-59.
THE QUOTES Head Coach Jon Newlee
"I thought we came out with a lot of energy and focus that we didn't have on Thursday. We wanted to ramp of the pressure defensively and not let them do what they want because they are a very talented offensive team. We came in with a good mindset and credit to them for making a comeback. This was a great basketball game, and this was more like the Vandals that I know."
"Nat {
Natalie Klinker} was really moving well. I thought she needed that game on Thursday to get back. It was nice for her to get her game legs in and I thought she was a huge factor today and had a tremendous game."
"For tie breaking purposes we needed this game. When you go on the road in the big sky split is always is a minimum. You never know how the season is going to go or how many games are going to get played."
"I love the way are girls pushed through all the adversity and got it done. NAU is a very talented basketball team."
THE NOTES
Four players scored in double-digits for the Vandals led by
Gina Marxen with 15.
Natalie Klinker scored 12 and totaled a team-high 15 rebounds, recording her second double-double of the season.
Beyonce Bea and
Paris Atchley chipped in 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Idaho dominated NAU on the glass 49-36 including a 14-7 advantage on the offensive glass. The Vandals turned 14 offensive rebounds into 23 second chance points while holding the Lumberjacks to just four second chance points.
The Vandals were very aggressive in the paint this afternoon scoring 30 points in the paint and also earning 21 trips to the free-throw line rendering 15 points.
Idaho led for the entire and by as many as 17 points.
THE NAME
Natalie Klinker scored 14 points and totaled a team-high 15 rebounds in her second game back after missing the previous two games. Klinker was an absolute force on the boards and helped Idaho to 23 second chance points. Klinker was five-of-seven from the field and finished a perfect four-of-four from the free-throw line.
UP NEXT
Idaho will return to action on next week on Jan. 7 as they return to Moscow for a pair of matches against Southern Utah on Thursday and Saturday. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. Thursday.
