MOSCOW, Idaho –The University of Idaho women's basketball improved to 5-4 overall and 4-1 in Big Sky play defeating Southern Utah (3-3, 0-1) 69-64, handing them their first conference loss of the season. The Vandals fought off a second half Thunderbird comeback in route to a fourth home win. Idaho outscored Southern Utah 13-7 in the final four minutes despite being outscored 37-28 in the second half. Four Vandals scored in double-figures led by Junior Gina Marxen with 14. Marxen also led Idaho in rebounds totaling a season-high eight boards.
 
THE GAME
 
Idaho and Southern Utah opened the first period trading buckets, not allowing either side to build a lead. Sophomore Beyocne Bea scored the games' first points 50 seconds in. Freshman Sydney Gandy turned a steal into two points at the 3:29 mark giving Idaho a three-point lead, 13-10, and sparking a 6-2 run. With 2:45 remaining in the period Hailey Christopher capped the run with a fastbreak layup in the paint as Idaho led 17-12. Southern Utah closed the deficit down the stretch, but the Vandals held a 18-16 lead entering the second period.
 
The second period was all Idaho as they outscored Southern Utah 21-11 over the 10-mintue span. Idaho opened the period on a 9-0 run and did not allow the Thunderbirds to score until the 5:27 mark. A Marxen three-pointer and two layups off turnovers from Christopher and Gabi Harrington gave Idaho a 27-16 advantage. Gandy's layup following another Thunderbird turnover with 20 seconds remaining in the period gave Idaho their largest lead of the game, 39-25. The Vandals led 39-27 at the break. Idaho forced seven turnovers in the second period and scored eight points off the mistakes.
 
Southern Utah cut into the Vandal's lead in the third period outscoring the home squad 18-11. Idaho extended its lead back to 14 to open the period when Bea scored a layup in the paint. Following the layup Southern Utah went on a 9-0 over the next three minutes cutting Idaho's lead to five, 41-36 with 4:23 to go in the period. After the Thunderbirds came within one-point freshman Paris Atchley responded with a three-pointer extending Idaho's lead to four, 46-42 with 2:09 remaining. Idaho held a slim lead 48-45 at the end of the third period.
 
Southern Utah held the Vandals to just one point in the first three minutes of the final period and took their first lead since the beginning of the game. 52-49 following a Darri Frandsen three-pointer at the 6:41 mark. Marxen responded for the Vandals with five straight points over the next 1:25 as Idaho regained the lead 54-52. After trading buckets over the next couple minutes Christopher grabbed an offensive rebound and turned it into two points giving Idaho a 58-57 lead they would not relinquish. A 4-0 following Christopher's layup gave Idaho a 62-57 lead with 1:50 remaining. Idaho held off Southern Utah from the free-throw line the rest of the way winning 69-64.
 
THE QUOTES 

Head Coach Jon Newlee


Hailey Christopher
 
 THE NOTES
 
Four players scored in double-digits for the Vandals led by Gina Marxen with 14. Marxen also recorded a season-high eight rebounds and dished out two assists. Hailey Christopher and Gabi Harrington were huge for Idaho off the bench scoring a combined 26 points. The duo helped lead a bench effort that offered 41 points, a season high. Beyonce Bea also scored 13 points and recorded two blocks.
 
Despite being heavily outrebounded the Vandals however, held an advantage in turnovers. Idaho forced 16 Thunderbird turnovers and scored 20 points off turnovers compared to just three for Southern Utah. Idaho only turned the ball over seven times.
 
The Vandals were able to get out in transition scoring 10 fastbreak points while Southern Utah did not score any.
 
THE NAME
 
Hailey Christopher scored 13 points tonight in 22 minutes off the bench for the Vandals. She also totaled five rebounds and had two steals. The junior from Spokane, Washington scored the go-ahead bucket for the Vandals giving them a 58-57 lead late in the fourth. After Christopher's bucket the Vandals held a lead the rest of the way.  
 
UP NEXT
 
Idaho will return to action tomorrow to face Southern Utah in game two of the series. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.