MOSCOW, Idaho –The University of Idaho women's basketball improved to 6-4 overall and 5-1 in Big Sky play defeating Southern Utah (3-4, 0-2) 77-61, completing the series sweep. The Vandals led for the entire game and by as many as 19 points. Idaho held the Big Sky's top rebounding team to just 35 boards for a plus-four advantage on the glass. Four Vandals scored in double-figures led by junior Gina Marxen who totaled 17 to go along with five assists and three steals. Junior Hailey Christopher led the Vandals on the boards with seven including four offensive rebounds.

THE GAME
 
Idaho controlled the game from the tip scoring the games' first five points. Freshman Sydney Gandy drained a three-pointer in the first possession and Beyonce Bea followed up with a pair of free-throws two minutes later. Bea put the Vandals up 9-4 following two second chance layups early in the contest. With 2:49 remaining in the first Southern Utah cut Idaho's lead to one following a Cherita Daugherty three-pointer. Gina Marxen responded with three free-throws extending the lead back to four, 15-11, with 1:33 to go. A Rylee Alexander three-pointer at the 0:28 mark gave Idaho a 18-13 advantage.
 
The Vandals finished 6-of-8 from the charity stripe in the first period and carried that over to begin the second. Hailey Christopher scored the first points of the second period from the free-throw line putting Idaho up 20-13 just over a minute in. Both sides traded the next seven baskets over a four-minute span. The Vandals were finally able to go on a run when Marxen drained a pair of free-throws and Christopher connected from three to lead 33-22 at the 2:41 mark. Idaho closed out the final minute of the second period on a 4-0 run and held a 37-24 advantage at the break. Christopher and Gabi Harrington combined for 15 points off the bench in the period.


In the third Southern Utah outscored Idaho 19-18, but were unable to get within ten points. Idaho opened the period on a 5-0 run jumping to a quick 18-point lead, 42-24. After a 7-6 Southern Utah run Marxen put the Vandals up 50-31 from the free-throw line for their largest lead of the game. Southern Utah outscored the Vandals 10-4 down the stretch of the third period, but Idaho held a 55-43 advantage at the end.
 
Southern Utah cut Idaho's lead to eight points early in the fourth period but would not get any closer the rest of the way. A 9-0 run over the next three minutes put Idaho up 66-49 with 4:50 to play. Marxen capped the run with her second three of the game. The Thunderbirds were unable to get within 14 in the final minutes as the Vandals closed out with the final 1:30 with three three-pointers, further extending the lead. Idaho completed the sweep over Southern Utah winning 77-61.

THE QUOTES 

Head Coach Jon Newlee



Gina Marxen
 


THE NOTES
 
Four players scored in double-digits for the Vandals led by Gina Marxen with 17. Marxen also led the Vandals in assists with five. Hailey Christopher led Idaho on the boards with seven while Beyonce Bea and Allison Kirby each contributed six.  
 
Idaho outrebounded the Thunderbirds 39-35 and 15-12 on the offensive glass. Idaho scored 16 second chance points compared to just eight for Southern Utah.
The Vandals shot 41 percent from the field, 34 percent from three and 88.9 percent from the free-throw line.
Each side turned the ball over 13 times, but the Vandals held the advantage in points off turnovers 12-10.
 
THE NAME
 
Gina Marxen led Idaho in scoring with 17 points and finished 7-of-8 from the free-throw line, drawing six fouls. She also totaled five assists and zero turnovers. In addition, Marxen recorded three steals.
 
UP NEXT
 
Idaho will hit the road for five straight road contests beginning on next Thursday, Jan. 14 against Northern Colorado.