The University of Idaho women’s basketball team beat Weber State University 60-47 on Feb. 15. An effort on both ends of the court allowed the Vandals to beat the Wildcats on the road.
Three UI guards scored in double figures. Junior guard Kennedy Johnson and senior guards Sarah Schmitt and Amalie Langer put up 14, 15 and 11 points respectively. Johnson recorded two blocks and two steals in the game. Langer contributed one block and three steals as part of a teamwide defensive performance.
The teams were evenly matched throughout the contest. Each recorded similar numbers of blocks, steals, assists and turnovers, but Idaho outrebounded Weber State 35-25.
The Vandals went on a 7-0 run in the second quarter to take their first lead since 3-2. Freshman guard Aspen Caldwell went coast to coast to lay the ball in, making it 26-24 in favor of Idaho. The team led the rest of the way, with the largest lead of the game at 13 coming in the fourth quarter.
Idaho consistently penetrated the paint, looking to score at the rim or kick the ball out for three. They shot 44% from the field and 58% from behind the three-point line. In an uncharacteristic night, they struggled from the free-throw line. The team averaged 78% from the stripe before tonight’s game. They shot just 52% from there, making nine of their 17 attempts.
Weber State started hot, scoring 19 points in the first quarter. Senior forward Daryn Hickok made her only two field goals of the game back-to-back to make the score 7-3 early in the game. She finished with seven points. The Wildcats’ start fizzled out and the team only scored nine, 11 and eight in the following quarters.
Only two Wildcats gave Idaho’s defense trouble. Junior guard Kendra Parra led all scorers with 16 points. She shot 46% from the field, including four out of five three-pointers. Freshman forward Taylor Smith helped with 14 points off the bench, along with eight rebounds to tie Idaho’s Caldwell with the most in the contest.
Though Weber State was able to keep it close, their inability to score in the second half assured Idaho’s victory. The Vandals often double-teamed key scorers in the post and Langer pressured the Wildcat’s ball-handlers endlessly. Their consistent effort earned them the win in Ogden.
This was a key game in the conference because during the Big Sky Tournament, the sixth seed doesn’t play until the third round on Monday, March 11. Both teams want the luxury of rest and preparation.
After tonight’s action, Idaho moves to 5-7 in conference play while Weber State falls to 4-9. They are now the seventh and eighth teams in the conference. The Vandals will return home to face Idaho State on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. The Wildcats will host Eastern Washington at the same time.
Willie Gibbs can be reached at [email protected]