MOSCOW, Idaho - Idaho women's basketball continues a long southern road trip with a Wednesday evening game on the road at first-year DI team Texas A&M Commerce in Commerce, Texas, Northwest of Dallas. The Lions are in their first year as a Division I school after making the transition from DII. 

ABOUT IDAHO:  The Vandals split the weekend at the University of San Diego Winter Classic in San Diego. The Vandals lost an overtime heartbreaker to Nevada 84-80 before coming back from a 15-point first-half deficit to beat New Mexico State 68-62. Bea is averaging 21.8 points per game to lead the way for Idaho, best in the Big Sky Conference and 8th 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 TEXAS A&M COMMERCE: The Lions didn't take a light schedule in their first year as a DI program. They have played five true road games, including games at Houston and SMU. They are 1-1 at home with a win over UNT Dallas and a loss to New Mexico. Wednesday's game is their final non-conference home game.  Dayani Robinson leads the Lions with 16.9 points per game and Laila Lawrence scored 11.3 PPG. Jason Burton is in his ninth season as the head coach with a 158-77 record. Texas A&M Commerce finished last year 27-5 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA DII National Championship. 

SERIES HISTORY: This is the first meeting for the two programs.

ROAD WARRIORS: Idaho is seven games into an opening stretch that sees the Vandals facing its first eight opponents and 10 of its first 11 on the road. The lone home game comes on Dec. 15 against Denver at ICCU arena. The non-conference stretch includes seven true road games and three neutral-site games. 

UP NEXT: Idaho continues its road trip with a Saturday match-up against UTSA in San Antonio.