SALT LAKE CITY – Beyonce Bea scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, but Utah proved too much for Idaho women's basketball as the Utes pulled away for the 88-63 win Monday in the season opener.
Bea and the Vandals started the game red hot. She was 5-7 from the field and 2-2 from the three-point line in the first quarter to lead Idaho to a 29-29 after one.
The Utes went on a 9-0 run to start the second quarter and led 47-38 at the break. After the half, Utah kept the pressure on and built a 68-50 lead late in the third quarter before Sarah Brans hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to 15 at the end of the quarter.
The fourth was more of the same as the Utes pulled away for the 25-point win.
Utah, who returns a big percentage of its team that played in the Pac-12 championship game a season ago, shot 42.1 percent from the field and outrebounded the Vandals 60-31. Idaho was 21-59 (35.6%) from the field and 10-20 (50%) from the free throw line.
Tiana Johnson added 12 points for Idaho and freshman Sarah Brans scored 11 on 4-5 shooting. Bea recorded the 16th double-double of her career.
Idaho returns to action on Wednesday, Nov. 16 on the road at California.