FINAL SCORE: Idaho 67, Montana 50
 
RECORDS: Idaho (11-4, 2-0), Montana (3-11, 0-3) 
 
IDAHO LEADERS: Kyra Gardner (28 points), Gardner (11 rebounds), Mary McMorris (five assists), Gardner (seven steals)
 
NOTABLES: 

• With this win and with the 63-50 win in Missoula last season, this is the second time in series history the Vandals have won consecutive road games against Montana
• The Vandals have now won three of the last four against Montana
• Kyra Gardner posted career highs of 28 points and seven steals in the win
• Idaho is still atop the Big Sky Conference standings, and is one of the first two teams to 11 wins this season
• Arthur Moreira-led teams are now 2-0 against Montana in Missoula
• Gardner recorded her team-leading fifth double-double of the season

QUOTABLES:
"I thought the game was a little sped up in the first quarter, but we settled down after that and were able to run a good offense. It is good to see our defense come up big here in the first two conference games. That's what we were missing. It's hard to win on the road and especially in Missoula, so I am proud of our effort!" – Head Coach Arthur Moreira

MISSOULA, Mont. – The Idaho Vandals Women's Basketball team took to Dahlberg Arena in Missoula for a matchup between the preseason No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the Big Sky Conference, coming out with a historic 67-50 victory over the Montana Lady Grizzlies. 

The two sides struggled to gain control in the first few minutes of the game, exchanging buckets early on. Kyra Gardner, who had the best game of her career, nailed a triple to give Idaho a 7-6 lead that the Mighty Vandals would never relinquish. Lorena Barbosa led UI with six points at the end of the frame, and Idaho took a 14-11 advantage to the second quarter.

The Gardner Show really jumpstarted in the second, as the transfer from Washington State opened the period on an 8-0 run before the Griz finally scored their first points of the quarter with 5:56 remaining. The Vandals took a double-digit advantage to the locker rooms, leading 29-19 as the horn sounded for halftime.

Idaho controlled for the entire third quarter, leading by as much as 16 following an outside shot from Hope Hassmann, who had 12 points for the game. Just before the buzzer sounded, Gardner connected on a turnaround jumper that gave UI a 54-40 lead going to the fourth.

Entering the quarter just three points shy of her career high, Gardner made a free throw, and shortly after that, stole the ball and dashed to the cup to lay it in for two to tie her personal best with 5:27 remaining, the score standing at 63-48 for the black and gold. With just 1:37 left in the game, she grabbed a defensive rebound to put the Vandals on the attack and was fouled to put her at the free-throw line. After splashing her two attempts at charity stripe, Gardner capped off her career night, leading the Vandals to a historic victory with new career highs of 28 points and seven steals, and Idaho won just its fifth game ever in Missoula. 

UP NEXT: The Vandals head east to play at Montana State on Saturday, Jan. 10. That game will tip off at 1 p.m. PT and can be seen on ESPN+ or heard on the Vandal Radio network.

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

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