LAHAINA, Hawaii – A slow start offensively for the Vandals overshadowed a strong defensive effort in the first half as Oregon State (6-3) overpowered Idaho (1-8, 0-1) 79-49 in the opening game of the Maui Jim Maui Classic at the Lahaina Civic Center.
Facing a tall ask in defending Oregon State, Idaho played one of their best defensive halves of the season, holding the Beavers to just 31 points. However, the Vandals offense could not get things going, connecting on just one field goal in the opening ten minutes (1-21).
"We rushed a lot of shots when we didn't have to," head coach
Jon Newlee said. "That set the tone for us early on."
The offensive slump continued into the second quarter that included a scoreless streak of nearly seven minutes and 21 straight missed shots. Idaho finished the half 6 of 38 from the floor.
Despite the lack of offensive output, Idaho only trailed Oregon State 31-15 at the intermission.
The offenses started clicking in the third quarter with OSU out scoring Idaho 32-15. The Beavers connected on seven 3-point field goals in the period as the outburst allowed them to put the game out of reach.
"Allowing just 31 points in a half then giving up 32 in the third quarter," Newlee said. "We lost our defensive intensity and we can't play like that."
Freshman
Ashlyn Wallace picked up the pace scoring for the Vandals, scoring a career-high 16 points on 6 of 10 shooting.
"I thought our freshman did a great job tonight," Newlee said. "Ashlyn started taking shots she had been passing up and Jordan (Allred) came in and gave us a spark."
The two combined for 24 points, which was nearly half of the team points on the night.
The Vandals will face Northern Iowa in the second game of the Maui Jim Maui Classic tomorrow, Dec. 18. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
NOTES
- Idaho only had nine turnovers,
- Ashlyn Wallace made three of Idaho's eight 3-points field goals.
Follow the Vandals all season long on Twitter and Instagram, @VandalsWBB and with the Voice of the Vandals, Doug Taylor, at
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