MOSCOW, Idaho – Beyonce Bea scored 32 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks to lead Idaho women's basketball to a 79-71 win over Montana to close out a sweep of the Montana schools to start 2-0 in Big Sky Conference play.
 
The Vandals took their time finding their rhythm in the first quarter, exchanging the lead with the Lady Griz for the first few possessions. After the Griz scored six straight points, Idaho responded scoring seven unanswered, giving UI a lead that they would hold for the rest of the game. The Vandals closed the first with a 25-16 lead. The Vandals were 9-15 (60%) from the field in the first quarter and denied the Griz any quality chances from behind the three-point line.
 
Bea kept Idaho humming with a big second quarter, scoring 20 of her 32 in the second quarter alone to finish the first half with 23. Idaho was clinical from the free throw line in the second quarter, scoring 6-6 and the defense was solid, forcing five turnovers. The Vandals headed into the locker room up 45-32, shooting 50% (15-30) from the field and 90% (9-10) from the free throw line.
 
Idaho built a 20-point lead in the third quarter. Gandy had another quarter with two three-point shots, making it two games in a row with five or more three-points made. The defense denied the Lady Griz once again, forcing two turnovers and zero three-pointers.
 
Montana chipped away in the final quarter, but Idaho slowed the pace in the final 10 minutes, allowing the team to keep the lead despite Montana shooting 53.3% from the field. Tiana Johnson put up two layups in the final five minutes, giving Idaho the cushion to ride the game out.
 
Bea and Gandy had career-high games as they once again led the Vandals to a Big Sky conference win. Bea was only two points shy of her season high of 34 points in tonight's contest. She tallied five blocks against the Lady Griz, marking a new career-high and putting her up at sixth all time at Idaho with 107. Bea also passed Natalie Klinker to move into the top-10 for career rebounds at 752 with nine on the night. Gandy tied her career-highs with five three-point shots and eight assists. Rosa Smith joined Bea and Gandy in double figures with 12. 
 
Idaho (6-7, 2-0 BSC) made quick work of the Griz (5-8. 1-1 BSC), shooting 28-59 (47.5%) from the field while limiting Montana to 29-68 (42.6%). The Vandals continued to live up to their reputation for three-point attempts, going for it 31 times and succeeding on 12 (38.7%). Idaho made it count on the line, putting away 11-12 FT attempts (91.7%). Montana earned the edge in rebounds, 42-30.
 
The Vandals will be on the road for the first part of the new year and will begin 2023 at Sacramento State on Thursday, January 5 at 7 p.m.