Missoula, MT - After a narrow loss to the Montana State Bobcats to open conference play, the Idaho Vandals were looking to rebound in a big way and were smelling the blood of their next opponent.

This foe, the Montana Lady Griz, were coming off of their first Big Sky win of the season vs. Eastern Washington and, looking further back, achieved a commanding 14-point victory over the Big-10 newcomer Washington Huskies, so all the momentum was wearing maroon and silver as the teams took the court in Dahlberg Arena.

It didn't last long, however, as the Vandals followed a 10-10 tie at the end of the first quarter by out-scoring the Griz in the final three, including holding the opponent to a single digit point total in the second. Idaho would double up with back to back 21-point quarters in the second half to earn a convincing 63-50 W in Missoula.

Three Vandals finished in double figures to lead the offensive charge. Hope Hassmann was difficult to stop with 20 points on the afternoon while playing all but six minutes. Olivia Nelson shot 50% on her way to 12 points, and Sarah Brans finished 6-8 to put up a dozen of her own. The Idaho defense was stingy all day long, as they forced fifteen total turnovers by the Griz.

The win moves the Vandals to 1-1 in conference play and 9-4 overall, good for fourth place in the Big Sky. The Vandal women have four home games in a row to come, with Sacramento State coming to Moscow on Thursday, Jan. 9, at 6:00 PM PST, followed by Portland State on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 2:00 PM.

The following week, Eastern Washington will be on their way for a Saturday matchup on Jan. 18 at 1:00 PM, followed by a rematch with Montana on Monday at 2:00 PM.