MOSCOW, Idaho – Vandal women's basketball picked up their seventh win in conference against Eastern Washington, 88-64 in Moscow on Saturday afternoon.
Beyonce Bea led the team with 27 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Bea was joined by
Tiana Johnson and
Rosa Smith in the double digits with 18 and 14 points, respectively.
Idaho was a force on both sides of the court in today's win. The team shot for an overall percentage of 51.7% from the field and 94.4% from the line and recorded 18 assists while eight different Vandals scored two or more points. UI outscored EWU 36-24 in the paint and 11-8 from three-point range. Six Vandals recorded five or more rebounds as Idaho outrebounded the Eagles 40-32.
The Vandals wasted no time gaining the lead in the first minute of the game with a layup from Johnson. Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter, shooting under 32% from the field and 25% from the arc. Idaho finished the quarter in the lead, 15-13 despite the lack of shooting success.
The game shifted in the second quarter as the Vandals attacked the paint, shooting 10-15 (66.7%) from the field and only attempting three from the arc. Idaho went on an 11-point scoring run, earning a lead of 18 points over the Eagles. Eastern Washington continued to struggle, shooting 35.3% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range. Bea, Smith, and Johnson ended the first half with 10-plus points.
Idaho continued to roll through the Eagles in the third quarter, shooting a game-high 63.6% from the field, 75% from the arc, and 100% from the line. Eastern Washington attempted to bring the game closer with a nine-point run, but their effort was thwarted by the Vandal defense.
The Vandals continued to hold off the Eagles in the final 10 minutes, outscoring EWU 21-16. Idaho was able to utilize the bench more as
Jenna Kilty scored a season-high six points off two three-point attempts. The Vandals earned their largest lead of 29 points in the fourth quarter as they solidified the win over the Eagles.
Idaho travels to Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona next weekend with hopes to climb the rankings in Big Sky.
