MOSCOW, Idaho – Olivia Nelson scored a career-high 30 points while the Vandal defense held Weber State under 30% from the field and Idaho cruised to a 77-52 win over the Wildcats Thursday night at the ICCU Arena.  

Nelson, who is fifth in the Big Sky in free throws attempted this season, did not make a trip to the charity stripe Thursday and had to get her career high the hard way. She went 14-21 from the field and 2-4 from the three-point line. She also added three assists and four rebounds. 

Jennifer Aadland recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Hope Hassman nearly recorded a double-double with 11 points and eight assists.

Idaho jumped out to an early 21-8 lead and led 23-12 at the end of the first quarter. A back and forth second quarter led Idaho to a 40-29 lead at the half. 

Weber State cut the lead to 51-41 at the end of the third, but the Vandals extended the lead to 72-52 with 3:03 left in the game. Weber cut the final margin to 15, but the night belonged to the Vandals. 

Idaho shot 41.7% (10-24) from behind the arc, 44.3% (31-70) from the field and 83.3% (5-6) at the foul line. 

Idaho outrebounded Weber State 50-35 and held the Wildcats to 29.7% (19-64) from the field and 5-20 (25%) from the three-point line. The Vandals recorded nine blocks, including three from Ana Pinheiro. It is the highest block total since the 2017-18 season. 

The Vandals are now 15-5 overall and 7-2 in Big Sky play. The win puts Idaho 2.5 games ahead of Weber State in the Big Sky standings. Providing separation between the Vandals at third place and the Wildcats who now sit in fourth place. 

Idaho plays Idaho State Saturday in the first leg of the battle for King Spud. The game tips off at  2 p.m. It is a blackout and also a celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day.