The Idaho women’s basketball team won its second straight game on Saturday with a 72-59 win over Texas State and sent the seniors off in style, clinching the third seed in the WAC Tournament.
Idaho guard Ana Overgaard drives for a bucket against Texas State Saturday in the Kibbie Dome. The Vandals won 72-59 and will be the No. 3 seed at the WAC Tournament.
It was a special night for Idaho’s two seniors, Jessica Graham and Ana Overgaard, but especially for Overgaard, who got her first career start. She also had the support of her entire sorority, who made shirts for Overgaard.
The two teams played a close first half, but Idaho took a 36-30 lead into the locker room. In the second the Vandals continued to build a lead and pulled away at the end to claim the 72-59 win.
Starters:
Christina Salvatore
Salvatore scored the first nine points for Idaho and ended with 15 to lead Idaho. While she didn’t score in the second half, she’s still the one who got the Vandals going in the first as the freshman continues her record-breaking season.
Krissy Karr
Karr had an all-around solid night. She put up six points, added five rebounds and had four assists in 33 minutes of play. She had some struggles from the arch, going 1-of-8, but still contributed to the Idaho win.
Jessica Graham
Graham had a nice Senior Night, putting up eight points and grabbing six rebounds. The senior has had her best season and continued to add to it by helping her team win at home one last time.
Ana Overgaar
The senior started and only played four minutes, but had the support of the crowd the entire game. With about four minutes left in the game the crowd began to chant for her and she got in with just over a minute to go. During the last minute she hit a layup that brought the crowd to its feet. It was a night the senior will never forget and that deserves some recognition.
Connie Ballestero
Ballestero had another good night for Idaho with eight points, six rebounds and four assists in 34 minutes of play. There’s a reason Idaho coach Jon Newlee plays her most of the game. She’s calm and doesn’t make a lot of mistakes.
Bench
Idaho’s bench was stellar in this one, putting up 33 points, which can be expected when regular starters Alyssa Charlston and Ali Forde are coming off it. Charlston put up 13 while Forde put up 11. Addie Schivo also got in on the action with nine. Three bench players together averaging 11 points each is not too bad.
Kevin Bingaman can be reached at [email protected]