MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho women's basketball got back in the win column on Monday night against Sacramento State in the ICCU Arena after a tough weekend of losses. The Vandals defeated the Hornets 70-64 and improve to 11-11 overall and 4-6 in conference.
Kennedy Johnson led the Vandals with 21 points against the Hornets marking her third game this season with over 20 points in a game. Three players tallied seven rebounds each and Asha Phillips led with four assists.
The Sacramento State Hornets were first to put points on the board, but Idaho was quick to answer. Amalie Langer put up the first points for the Vandals with a layup, followed by a dime to Asha Phillips for a three-pointer. The Hornets were scoreless for over five minutes in the first quarter due to the scrappy defense by Langer, Ashlyn Wallace, and Sarah Schmitt. The tight defense allowed Idaho to go on a 12-0 run dominated by Phillips.
The Hornets entered the second quarter hard with an immediate three-pointer that forced Idaho into a three minute scoring drought. The Vandals were able to fight their way back, tying it up with only two minutes left in the half. From there, the two teams went shot for shot until Schmitt made both attempts from the free throw line after being fouled.
Leading scorers for the Vandals in the first half included Phillips with 10 points and Kennedy Johnson with eight points. The Hornets out-rebounded the Vandals 16-12, but had zero points scored off their bench compared to Idaho's six.
Idaho kept a steady pace in the third quarter slowly pulling away from the Hornets. With only two minutes left in the quarter, the Vandals went on a 15-2 scoring run led by Phillips. Idaho ended the quarter 58-49 with three athletes reaching above 10 points each.
Idaho maintained their game till the end as Johnson carried the Vandals in the fourth quarter scoring seven of the 12 team points. The Vandals were sent to the line nearly twice as much as Sacramento State during the matchup as a direct result of three Hornets entering foul trouble.
Vandals secured the win by out rebounding the Hornets 36-31. The final for the game was 70-64.
Idaho will travel to Cheney, Washington to take on the Eastern Washington Eagles, on Saturday February 10th at Reece Court at 2pm PST.
