The Idaho women’s basketball team collected another victory over Portland State Thursday night. The win marked head coach Jon Newlee’s 142nd win — tying him with Pat Dobratz for the most wins of all time.
Idaho hit 17 threes, one less than the record. The Vandals came back from a 15-point deficit in the first quarter to secure a 72-66 win.
The Vandals were unable to convert a 3-pointer until sophomore guard Mikayla Ferenz hit a deep shot with a minute left in the quarter.
“It was crazy the way we started. I do not know. I guess we have not seen a zone all year,” Newlee said. “Once we got the attacking mindset things went much better.”
Portland State guard Ashley Bolston proved to be a formidable opponent early in the game. She ended the first half with 16 points and three steals, two of which ended with transition buckets.
Idaho caught fire in the second quarter and held on to the torch throughout the rest of the game. A three from junior guard Bethany Krause and two more from Ferenz signaled what was to come for the Vikings.
Portland State held a 38-36 lead going into the break, but it felt like Idaho would come out swinging in the second half. Four players combined for nine 3-pointers.
Offensive rebounding provided Idaho with more opportunities from beyond the arc. Junior post Geraldine McCorkell consistently fought under the basket to give the Vandal sharp-shooters extra chances on the perimeter.
Newlee said he was pleased with the team’s offensive rebounding. The Vandals were able to record 20 offensive rebounds, compared to Portland State’s 11, ultimately leading to Idaho capitalizing on second-chance opportunities.
“It won us the basketball game,” Newlee said. “I told them, ‘We have to get 20 offensive boards tonight.’ I loved our effort from everybody on the offensive boards.”
The first tie of the game came three minutes into the third quarter, but the Vandals did not let it last long. Idaho went on a 7-0 run early in the third and keep Portland State off the board for four minutes. The Vikings shot a staggering 13 percent from the field in the third, compared to Idaho’s 39 percent.
Strategizing around the three-pointer has been a reoccurring trend this season, and Idaho has learned how to win by the long-shot. When the Vikings scored two buckets in a row from under the basket, Idaho answered with two perimeter shots.
Idaho sophomore guard Taylor Pierce recorded a team-high 19 points–15 from beyond the arc. McCorkell earned a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Ferenz posted 15 points and six assists.
The Vandals will look to improve their winning streak to three on Saturday at 2 p.m. when they travel to California to take on Sacramento State.
Colton Clark can be reached at [email protected]