FINAL SCORE: Idaho 65, Northern Arizona 70

RECORDS: Idaho (16-9, 8-6), Northern Arizona (22-6, 13-2)

IDAHO LEADERS: Anja Bukvic (16 points), Rosie Schweizer (12 rebounds), Olivia Nelson (5 assists)

NOTABLES:

• Anja Bukvic started the game shooting 5-5 and scoring 11 points prior to the first media timeout.
• Bukvic ended the game with 16 points – her fifth time scoring in double figures this season.
• Idaho outrebounded NAU 47-44.
• Olivia Nelson notched 11 points for her 17^th double-figure scoring effort of the season.
• Idaho's defense held NAU, the top scoring team in the Big Sky, to well below its season average in points (80.4 PPG on the season, 70 tonight), and field goal shooting (.422 on the season, .368 tonight).
• Jennifer Aadland corralled 10 or more rebounds for the 13^th time this season.

MOSCOW, Idaho – Despite a relentless defensive effort that held the Big Sky Conference's most explosive offense well below their season scoring and shooting averages, the Idaho Vandals Women's Basketball team stumbled against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks by a score of 65-70.

In the first quarter, the Vandals, led by Anja Bukvic, couldn't be stopped. Bukvic tallied 11 points on a flawless 5-5 from the floor all before the media timeout, leading the Vandals to a 22-14 edge as the horn sounded.

The second frame was played at a slower pace and NAU outscored Idaho 14-12, cutting into the Vandal advantage. Head Coach Arthur Moreira's elite Vandal defense held the Lumberjacks to a paltry 32% from the floor in the first half, and Idaho carried a 34-28 lead into the locker room for the halftime break.

A furious Lumberjack charge aided the 'Jacks to outscore Idaho 21-13 in the third quarter, and the Vandals trailed 49-47 heading into the final frame.

The NAU offense maintained control and pace in the fourth quarter with an additional 21 points, and ultimately nabbed the game from the Vandals 70-65.

UP NEXT: The Vandals host the Northern Colorado Bears in ICCU Arena on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 2:00 p.m.

TICKETS: Tickets can be purchased here or by calling the Vandal ticket office at (208) 885-6466.

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