(Big Sky Conference | Courtesy Photo)
The Idaho women’s basketball team earned a 67-55 win over in-state rival Idaho State to win the Big Sky Conference tournament championship and clinch a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
The title marks the third time in four years Vandal head coach Jon Newlee has taken the team to the NCAA tournament.
Freshman guard Mikayla Ferenz was named the Big Sky tournament’s Most Valuable Player and was given All-Tournament honors. Ferenz sank four 3-pointers and led the Vandals with 18 points.
“I couldn’t ask for a better freshman year,” Ferenz said. “It was such a great experience.”
Senior post Ali Forde was given All-Tournament honors. Forde earned a double-double and finished with 12 points, 13 rebounds, eight steals, four assists and four blocks.
Junior point guard Karlee Wilson contributed 14 points while senior guard Christina Salvatore provided 13.
“Going into this game we knew it was going to be a grind it out style,” Newlee said. “The key, to me, was our defensive effort the entire game. We did a fantastic job of getting stops and rebounding the basketball.”
The last time the two programs met, the Vandals fell 89-68 to the Bengals in Pocatello March 4.
Idaho utilized layups from Ferenz and sophomore post Geraldine McCorkell to grab a 17-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Anna Policicchio scored consecutive baskets for Idaho State to gain a 26-23 advantage at halftime.
Newlee said he felt responsible for the second quarter lull.
“I think that’s on me,” Newlee said. “We were doing some things offensively that kind of played into their hands and at half time we adjusted and just started running all our set plays.”
The Vandals used 44 points in the second half to clinch the victory over the Bengals.
Salvatore and Ferenz hit back-to-back 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter to give Idaho a 53-36 lead.
Idaho State sank four treys during the final minutes of play, but Idaho connected on 11 free throws to keep the lead.
The Vandals shot at 55.6 percent from 3-point range and 35.6 percent from the field. Idaho State made 22.2 percent of its shots behind the arc.
During the post-game press conference, Newlee said he was glad his team could silence the Idaho State hecklers behind the Vandals bench.
Newlee coached at Idaho State for six years before accepting a head coaching position at Idaho. He said the fans were referencing his previous history with the Bengals.
“I’ve moved on,” Newlee said. “I’m a Vandal. The grass is greener in Moscow.”
Newlee spoke during the post-game press conference while wearing the net the team cut down from the rim.
“This never gets old,” Newlee said. “Even the Gatorade bath I got in the locker room. It’s a little chilly right now but I’ll take it any day of the week.”
Tess Fox can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @tesstakesphotos