MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho women's basketball fell to Northern Colorado, 57-38 on Thursday night in the ICCU Arena. Kennedy Johnson led the court with 18 points, nine rebounds, and went 4-4 from the free throw line.
The first quarter was off to a slow start on all fronts, with a nearly three minute scoreless run by both teams. Amalie Langer was first to put points on the board with a cross-step underhand layup on the right side. The Bears quickly retaliated with two back-to-back layups. Northern Colorado went on a 10-0 scoring run that kept Idaho from the basket for over three minutes. Asha Phillips closed in on the Bears with a three-point play resulting from a made layup and a free-throw off a shooting foul. Even though the Vandals' shots were not falling, they owned the boards collecting four offensive rebounds, more than they had total in their last game.
The bears fouled twice within the first thirty seconds giving the period a rather physical start. Kennedy Johnson was sent to the foul line and sunk both her shots just before she drained her first three of the game. Still, the Bears did not let up and went on a 7-0 scoring run. Everytime the Vandals were able to drop points, Northern Colorado matched the energy. Langer was able to sneak in another underhand layup after a two-minute scoring drought. Idaho was down 14 points, 35-21 as the first half came to a close.
Johnson led the half with 11 points and four of the team's 15 rebounds. Sarah Schmitt also had her share of the boards with three offensive rebounds and one defensive rebound. Idaho shot 33.3% (8-24) from the field, 28.6% (2-7) from three, and 3-3 from the charity stripe while UNC shot 51.7% (15-29) from the field, 16.7% (1-6) from three, and 80% (4-5) from the free throw line.
Idaho entered the second half with a new energy as Schmitt and Johnson each scored within the first two minutes of the period, but once again the Bears did not back down. Idaho scored only five points within the first five minutes of the period allowing Northern Colorado to lengthen their lead. As the third quarter came to an end the Bears were out-shooting the Vandals 41.7% (5-12) to Idaho's 15.4% (2-13) in the field.
Nearly every Northern Colorado player that entered the game scored, resulting in 17 points off their bench. The Bears out hustled the Vandals with 10 steals to our three and 19 points off turnovers to our nine.Idaho split their series with Northern Colorado in the regular season after tonight's loss. Idaho ended the night 26.0% (13-50) from the field, 22.2% (4-18) from the three-point line, 88.9% (8-9) at the charity line. The last time Idaho shot less than 35% from the field was earlier this season against EWU (30.6%) in January.
Idaho hosts Northern Arizona this Saturday February 24th, at 2pm PST in the ICCU Arena.
