MISSOULA, Mont. – Beyonce Bea tied her career high of 40 points in tonight's loss to the Griz in Missoula. Bea grabbed 12 boards in the process, recording her 11th double-double of the season and 26th in her career. The Vandals close the regular season with a 9-9 record in the Big Sky and a sixth seed heading into the tournament in Boise.
At 1,922 points, Bea sits sixth all-time in Idaho history, surpassing Stacey Barr at 1,896 points. Assistant coach and former player, Taylor Pierce is just 12 points ahead of Bea at 1,934 points. Bea also sits at fifth with 669 points in a single season. Shooting 17-30 from the field, Bea is tied for first in school history with 17 field goals made in an individual game and tied for second in points in a single game.
Sydney Gandy and Ashlyn Wallace joined Bea in the double digits at 11 points apiece. Tiana Johnson was second on the team with six boards, three of which were the only offensive boards for Idaho. Five from Montana scored in the double digits ultimately being the difference maker in the three-point loss. The Vandals were outrebounded 43-36 but had fewer turnovers with nine to Montana's 10.
The Vandals were hot off the start, outscoring Montana 19-15 in the first 10 minutes. Bea led the team with seven points and four others also got on the scoreboard. Idaho shot 44.4% (8-18) from the field, 28.6% (2-7) from three-point range, and missed their only free throw of the game, going 1-2. Idaho went on their best scoring run of six points to start the match.
In the second quarter, Montana fought back, outscoring the Vandals 22-15. Bea scored all but two points for the Vandals going 5-9 from the field and 3-3 from the line. The Vandals shot 42.9% (6-14) from the field and did not make a single three-point shot in the period.
The Griz took a three-point lead heading into the half shooting 45.5% from the field overall and 60% from three-point range. Idaho was right behind shooting 43.8% from the field but lacked from three-point range shooting an unusual 22.2%. Bea led the court with 20 points, shooting over 50% from the field and 100% from the line. Montana's Sammy Fatkin gave the Griz the lead with 10 points in the quarter while Dani Bartsch grabbed seven boards.
The third period ended up heavily influencing the outcome as the Griz took a 13-point over the Vandals. Idaho was forced to make big plays defensively and be clutch at the rim. Three of Montana's shooters shot over 50% from the field while Bea fought to bring the Vandals back into reach with 11 points.
Idaho made the game interesting, bringing the deficit back within single digits as the final 10 minutes winded down. Wallace entered the quarter determined to score, leading the Vandals with 11 points. Idaho outscored the Griz 28-20 in the quarter, bringing the game within three points many times. Ultimately, Montana was able to hold on to the lead and hand the Vandals the road loss.
Overall, Idaho shot 46.4% (32-69) from the field, 30.4% (7-23) from the arc, and 91.7% (11-12) from the line while Montana shot 47.1% (33-70), 44% (11-25) from the arc, and 57.1% (8-14) from the line. The game could have gone either direction, but the night was in favor of Montana, 85-83.
The Vandals head to the Big Sky Tournament this weekend and will face the third seed Sacramento State on Monday, March 6 at 1:30 p.m. PST in Boise, Idaho.
