After beating Portland State and Southern Utah, the Vandals moved on to face number two-ranked Montana State in the semi-final game.
Montana State looked like the number two seed as they started the first quarter out hot. The Bobcats went on a 14-4 run in the first four minutes of the game. Freshman guard Ashlyn Wallace hit a three at the 4:25 mark to stop Montana State’s run. The Vandals would continue to go on a 12-2 run of their own to tie it up. Idaho kept the game tied until the last minute when junior guard Darian White would score four, including a buzzer beater, to put the Bobcats up 22-18.
The second quarter started out all Idaho. A three from graduate student guard Louise Forsyth would put the Vandals up 25-22 for their first lead since 13 seconds into the first. The Vandals continued to run up its lead, going up 35-25 with 4:06 left in the half. Montana State called a timeout to make a gameplan to stop the Vandals. With four minutes to go, the Bobcats climbed right back into it. In the final two minutes White took over again. With three seconds left on the clock she stepped back and fired. Her shot fell and she brought the Bobcats within one to end the half.
The third quarter continued to be a great battle between these two teams. Neither the Bobcats nor the Vandals gave an inch. Idaho struck first, but Montana State quickly struck back. The back and forth continued up until the final 20 seconds. With four seconds remaining, sophomore guard Sydney Gandy was sent to the free throw line. Neither shot went, sending the Vandals into the fourth with a 56-55 lead.
The first four minutes of the quarter were a great continuation of the third. The Bobcats were able to retake the lead, but with 5:25 left, Forsyth hit a three to put the Vandals up 67-66. These three points would be the final off a field goal from either team. Montana State hit seven free throws to win the game 73-67 and move on to the championship against Northern Arizona
Despite the tough loss, the Vandals had great individual stat lines. Bea ended her season in Bea fashion with a 22-point, 12 rebound double-double. Forsyth put up 10 points. Kirby had an insane rebounding game grabbing 16. She also had eight points and six assists. The Vandals semi-final berth comes in a season where they started the season on a 10-game losing streak. Idaho finished the season with a 14-18 record overall and an 13-10 record in-conference including the tournament.
James Taurman-Aldrich can be reached at [email protected]