If there’s a question as to who the conference favorite should be, Idaho is giving it a clear answer.
The Idaho women’s basketball team has cemented itself as the most dominant team in the Western Athletic Conference so far with its fifth straight win of 11 points or more. This time it was a 96-55 win Thursday night over Utah Valley in Orem, Utah. That win is Idaho’s second of 40 points or more in the conference schedule, and second time over 90 points. Both those games occurred on the road.
It is also Idaho’s first 5-0 conference record since the 1981-82 season when the Vandals went 14-0 in the NW Empire League under Pat Dobratz.
Idaho coach Jon Newlee said it’s all a little bit unbelievable and praised the overwhelming offensive effort.
“We missed four or five at the rim, we could have had more than that, not to be greedy,” Newlee said. “I’m really happy about our balance … just shooting the ball well and making great decisions. Great shots will lead to great percentages, and we just took great shots tonight.”
Idaho’s dominance was never in question. Sophomore guard Christina Salvatore nestled in a 3-point shot 46 seconds into the game and Idaho never looked back. Two blocks in the first two minutes and high-percentage offensive looks had Idaho out to a quick 7-0 lead. That 7-0 lead grew to a 25-7 lead, which grew to a 45-25 lead, which grew to a 72-43 lead and eventually led to the 41-point victory.
“I’m proud of them for keeping the intensity level up, I thought for 40 minutes we kept our intensity level up,” Newlee said.
Idaho putting the game out of doubt so early in the game meant Newlee could rest key starters and stretch his bench out. Starting point guard Connie Ballestero, who played all 40 minutes in last Thursday’s win over Texas-Pan American, only played 24 minutes against UVU.
The stars checked out early as well. Stacey Barr left after 28 minutes and Alyssa Charlston after 22 minutes, but not after both combined to score 41 of Idaho’s season-high 96 points.
Charlston did it with near perfection and insane efficiency. Her 20 points were scored on 8-of-9 shooting, 1-of-1 from beyond-the-arc and making all three free throws. Barr chipped in with 21 points, only missing three shots on the night.
Two true freshmen were able to get minutes off the bench thanks to the result, something Newlee is grateful for, saying Saturday’s bout at Cal-State Bakersfield will be scrappy for Idaho.
“We’re going to need all of that or more on Saturday,” Newlee said.
Freshman post Brooke Reilly collected her first double-double as a Vandal with 10 points and 11 rebounds in only 21 minutes on the court.
The dominating win has Idaho as the only undefeated team in the conference — even preseason favorite Seattle has collected a loss, — and the only team in the conference with an overall winning record (12-7).
Sean Kramer can be reached at [email protected]