MOSCOW, Idaho –The University of Idaho women's basketball team defeated Montana 92-72 in Memorial Gym Friday night. The Vandals, led by Sydney Gandy and Gabi Harrington, found a second gear in the second half scoring 51 points in route to a 92-72 win. The Vandals held the Lady Griz to just 27 second half points. Gandy led Idaho with a career-high 23 points and a career-high six assists. Harrington had 19 points as five Vandals scored in double-figures. Allison Kirby notched a career-high 13 rebounds and 10 points for her first career double-double on Senior Day. To round off the scoring Paris Atchley chipped in 14 and Janie King had 12 points on four made three-pointers.
 
THE GAME
 
Idaho jumped out to a 15-9 lead early to begin the contest. Kirby gave the Vandals a six-point lead following a steal and a layup. Montana took a 24-23 lead down the stretch but a layup from Atchley with 0:49 to play gave Idaho a 25-24 lead.

Montana outscored the Vandals in the second period, 21-16, leading by as many as seven points. Gandy cut the lead to four, 45-41, with 0:36 to go in the period. The Lady Griz led by four at the break.

In the third Idaho found offense once again, scoring a game-high 26 points. A free-throw from Gandy followed by a layup, gave the Vandals a three-point lead 51-48. Idaho would hold the lead the rest of the way. A 14-0 run gave Idaho a 61-48 lead over Montana with 4:07 to play. Gandy contributed 11 points in the run and scored 15 points in the third period, helping the Vandals to a 67-59 lead to enter the fourth period.

The Vandals kept their foot on the gas in the final period, adding another 25 points. An 11-0 run midway through the fourth, capped with a King three-pointer, put the Vandals up 16, 82-66, with 3:35 to play. The shots kept falling as Idaho stretched their lead to 21, the largest of the game, 91-70, with 1:02 to go following a Harrington steal and layup. The Vandals would go on to win 92-72 on Senior Day.

THE QUOTES 

Head Coach Jon Newlee

Sydney Gandy

Gabi Harrington


THE NAME
 
Sydney Gandy totaled a career-high 23 points and took over in the third scoring 15. She also had a career-high six assists and added one steal. She drained three three-pointers in the contest as well.
 
 
THE NOTES
 
The Vandals featured five players in double-figures and scored the most points in a game since a 97-73 win over Sacramento State in the season opener.
Idaho had 18 assists led by Gandy with six. Allison Kirby contributed four and Gabi Harrington had three.

Idaho had nine steals and scored 14 points off turnovers. The Vandals forced 13 turnovers and turned the ball over just eight times themselves.
 The Vandals outshot Montana from the field 42.9 percent to 37.0 percent and drained 13 three-pointers.
 
UP NEXT:
 
The Vandals will travel to Boise, Idaho for the 2021 Big Sky Basketball Championships. Final seedings and the tournament bracket will be finalized tomorrow. With tonight's win the Vandals secure the No. 2 seed. Visit GoVandlas.com for more information regarding game times and