MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho women's basketball fell to the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks, 60-55 on Saturday afternoon in the ICCU Arena.
Idaho's top performer of the game was once again Kennedy Johnson with 18 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. In Saturday's game, the Vandals held the lead for over 24 minutes. When Idaho faced Northern Arizona earlier this season, the Vandals never once held the lead.
Northern Arizona was first to put points on the board with a jumper within thirty seconds of the game. Johnson placed Idaho on the board with a layup, followed by a fast break layup made by Sarah Schmitt. This momentum carried into the next few minutes, leaving the Lumberjacks scoreless for over three minutes and the Vandals with a 11-0 scoring run. The game went shot-for-shot for the rest of the period. Sarah Brans and Ashlyn Wallace each sunk a three to keep the lead for the Vandals. The quarter ended with Idaho up, 20-19.
The Lumberjacks tied up the game at 22-22 just two minutes into the second quarter. Schmitt fired off a three less than a minute later giving the lead back to the Vandals. Asha Phillips snuck through the key for a layup and soon after sunk both her free throws. Johnson continued to be a problem for the 'Jacks tallying 14 points in the first half. Idaho shot 48.4% (15-31) from the field, 33.3% (3-9) from the three-point line, and 66.7% (4-6) from the charity line. The score at the end of the half was 37-30 in favor of Idaho.
Once again, Northern Arizona beat the Vandals to the boards. Brans responded immediately with a jumper followed by Phillips completing a put-back layup. Johnson was called for an offensive foul which gave the Lumberjacks the opportunity to score from a jumper at the top of the key. The Vandals remained scoreless for four minutes and were tied 43-43 to enter the last quarter.
The last quarter started with the 'Jacks taking their second lead of game since the first quarter. Johnson immediately used that as motivation to tie the Vandals back up from a layup. From there, both teams were stuck at a 45-45 point lock for over two minutes. Northern Arizona broke off from the Vandals but Idaho remained in reach. Both teams were exchanging turnovers, lowering the time for actual play. Northern Arizona had a 7-0 scoring run, five of these points were within 45 seconds. Before the game came to an end, Wallace was able to fire off one last three-pointer to put the Vandals within four points of the 'Jacks. Still this wasn't enough momentum, ending the game 60-55 in favor of Northern Arizona.
The Idaho women's basketball team will travel to Montana State to take on the Bobcats at 6pm PST on February 29th and the University of Montana Grizzlies on Saturday March 2nd at 1pm PST.
