MOSCOW, Idaho – Despite a thrilling second-half performance, the Vandal women's basketball team came up short against Montana in a 68-79 loss on Thursday night. Kennedy Johnson had a stellar performance, leading the squad with a career-high 26 points. Idaho now sits 3-5 in conference play.
It was the Grizzlies who kicked off play, coming out strong with an immediate deep bucket. Montana continued their momentum, holding Idaho to only two points for nearly six minutes. The Vandals couldn't get their shots to fall and went 0-6 from deep during this stretch. Kennedy Johnson ended the drought, bringing some momentum to the Vandal offensive front that helped them to come within six points of the Lady Griz. However, Montana went on to and strengthened their lead to double digits as the first quarter drew to a close.
Montana didn't let up as second-quarter play began and embarked on a 17-2 run. Idaho suffered four turnovers in the first five minutes of the quarter, making it difficult to find a rhythm. Idaho tacked on three buckets from the paint near the end of play, but they were unable to sustain their effort. The buzzer rang and sent the Vandals into the locker room trailing 21-45, their largest first-half deficit of the season.
The second half commenced and it was the Vandals who struck first this time. Idaho and Montana traded baskets for the next few minutes until Sarah Brans knocked down a three-pointer that kickstarted a 10-2 run for the Vandals that lasted just under two minutes. Idaho started to disrupt the Grizzly offense, holding them scoreless for the final three and a half minutes of the quarter. The Vandals went 8-16 from the field and marked the first quarter in which they outshot the Lady Griz.
The Vandals remained hot-handed as the fourth quarter began. Idaho continued to shake up the Lady Griz who remained scoreless still with eight minutes remaining in the contest. Ashlyn Wallace put up five quick points in the beginning of play that contributed to a 13-2 run which was put up almost entirely by Idaho's bench. With just under five minutes remaining, the Vandals cut Montana's lead to 12.
The final five minutes were nothing short of entertaining. Johnson knocked down a pair of free throws to surpass her previous career-high 20 points and went on to drop four more points to bring the Vandals within six. Both teams went back and forth on the glass as Montana fought to hang onto their lead. Despite once again outshooting the Grizzlies, this time both in the paint and behind the arc, the Vandals were not able to pull ahead and Montana walked away with the victory.
The Vandals will look to get back in the win column this weekend as they tipoff against Montana State in the ICCU Arena on Saturday at 2 p.m. PST.
