MOSCOW, Idaho - Idaho women's hoops is back on the road after topping Denver 91-83 in the home opener for the Vandals, Thursday at ICCU Arena in Moscow. The Vandals head south to face Grand Canyon in Phoenix. The Lopes are off to a red-hot start, going 8-1 with their only loss coming against Arizona State. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+ while a radio broadcast can be heard on AM 849 KMAX or on GoVandals.com.
ABOUT IDAHO: The Vandals needed a win and got it in the first home game of the season with a 91-83 victory at ICCU Arena.
Beyonce Bea went off for 33 in the game and is averaging 23.6 points per game to lead the way for Idaho, Her average is the best in the Big Sky Conference and 7th in the NCAA. The Vandals welcome in six newcomers, including a pair of transfers in
Jenna Kilty (Portland State) and Malone (Idaho State). Idaho was picked to finish third by the Big Sky Coaches and Bea was named to the Big Sky Preseason team. Idaho returns three starters off of last year's team; Bea,
Sydney Gandy and
Tiana Johnson, who is taking advantage of her covid year to play a fifth season of basketball.
ABOUT GCU: Grand Canyon hasn't played the toughest slate to date, but are taking care of business with an 8-1 record (6-1 against DI schools). The Lopes are averaging 80.2 points per game while giving up just 54.2. Their lone loss was against Arizona State. Four players average 7.9 points per game or more. Head coach Molly Miller is in her third season at the helm and has led the Antelopes to the WAC championship game in each of her first two seasons.
SERIES HISTORY: For the third game in a row, Idaho plays a former conference WAC foe. The Vandals are 2-1 all-time against the Antelopes. The last game was a 64-60 loss during the 2016-17 season.
ROAD WARRIORS: Idaho opened the season with eight games on the road before playing at home last Thursday. Idaho has already traveled over 13,000 miles and played in all four time zones in the contingent US.
UP NEXT: Idaho closes non-conference play at Utah Valley in Orem on Dec. 21 at 1 p.m.
