CHENEY, Wash. –The University of Idaho women's basketball team improved to 10-5 overall and 9-2 in Big Sky play defeating Eastern Washington (7-9, 5-6) 79-69, Thursday night. Idaho jumped out to a 14-2 lead to begin the game, leading 25-9 at the end, and never looked back. Eastern Washington's offense picked up, outscoring Idaho 60-54 in the final three periods, but it wasn't enough as the Vandals held off an Eagles' comeback. An 8-0 in the final minutes secured a 79-69 win for the Vandals. Four Vandals scored in double-figures led by Gabi Harrington who totaled 24 points. Harrington also led the Vandals on the boards with 16.
 
THE GAME
 
The Vandals came hot out the gate to start the road contest. Gabi Harrington drained a three-pointer 38 seconds in, sparking a 14-2 opening run. Sydney Gandy capped the run, which lasted nearly four minutes, with a layup in the paint at the 5:25 mark.

The Eagles added a couple points, ending Idaho's run. With a 16-7, lead the Vandals ended the period on a 9-2 run. Paris Atchley's layup extended Idaho's lead, 18-7, before Beyonce Bea and Gina Marxen each drained a pair of free-throws. Janie King came off the bench and capped the run from downtown, extending Idaho's lead to 25-9 at the end of the period.

Eastern Washington managed to cut into to Idaho's lead over the course of the second period as the Vandals shot just 4-of-16 from the field. Midway through the Eagles cut the lead to 12, 32-20, but Bea responded with a second chance layup and the Atchley drained a three, putting the Vandals up 17. Eastern Washington closed out the period with back-to-back buckets, but the Vandals held a 13 point lead, 37-24 at the half.
 
Eastern Washington cut Idaho's lead to seven to begin the third period. Idaho responded with a quick 4-0 run, extending the lead to 11, 41-30, at the 7:13 mark, following a Bea three-pointer. Both sides traded scores down the stretch, holding Idaho's lead to double digits. Atchley notched a pair of free-throws in the final minute, giving Idaho a 56-44 lead entering the fourth period.
 
With 3:53 to go in the game, Eastern Washington's Grace Kirscher cut Idaho's lead to four, 65-61. 20 seconds later, a Bea layup sparked an 8-0 run over the next 2:19 and extended Idaho's lead to 12, 73-61, with 1:34 to play. A free-throw from Harrington completed the run. The Vandals went on to win, 79-69 on the road.
 
THE QUOTES Head Coach Jon Newlee
 
"They got loose for some threes and we know how dangerous they are from three. I was a little disappointed in that effort. We did a great job, especially in the first half of contesting those threes. I think they were one for nine, and then they really caught fire. That's what they are capable of. When they when these games that's what happens. Hopefully that's something we can clean up Saturday."
 
"I had a feeling coming in that [Gabi] was going to have a monster game. She was feeling it and she's been feeling really good at practice, getting her wind back from the injuries. She's healthy again and she really brought it tonight. We needed it. We needed every bit of those minutes that she played tonight."
 
"I thought we did a great job [on the glass]. I told them, 'Hey, great job of blocking out and keeping these big guys off the glass. They are aggressive. They go hard to those offensive boards and I think we did a real good job tonight on the glass."
 
"It's been a long time since we've had a game in mem. Hopefully we bring that energy and feed off of that. I'm really proud the way these kids come out and compete with only eight of them. Whatever minutes they have they come in and play their hearts out and are cheering for whoever is out there. I couldn't be prouder of these eight kids just going out and playing as hard as they can."
 
THE NAME
 
Gabi Harrington recorded a career-night in her first year with the Vandals. Harrington notched a double-double just 15 minutes into the game with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Harrington went on to total a career-high 24 points, surpassing her career-high while at Montana, and a career-high 16 rebounds. Harrington finished 9-of-17 from the field for 52. 9 percent. She also finished 5-of-6 from the charity stripe and had two steals.
 
THE NOTES
 
Gabi Harrington led all scorers with 24 points and totaled a game-high 16 rebounds.
 
Three other Vandals scored in double-figures. Gina Marxen and Paris Atchley each totaled 14 points while Beyonce Bea chipped in 13.
 
Marxen dished out a team-high seven assists and played all 40 minutes.
 
Bea led the vandals with three steals and added a block.
 
Idaho finished 21-of-26 from the free-throw line. Marxen was 5-for-5 and is 14-for-14 over the last two games.
 
Idaho outrebounded the Eagles 38-30 overall and 10-6 on the offensive glass.
 
Idaho shot 46 percent from the field while the Eagles shot 44 percent.
 
The Vandals scored 14 points off turnovers and won the turnover battle, 12-14.
 
UP NEXT:
 
The Vandals will take on Eastern Washington again, on Saturday Feb. 6, in Memorial Gym at 12 p.m.