Idaho, behind a game-winning free throw from graduate guard Sarah Schmitt, got the 49-48 win over Idaho State on Saturday.
In her weekly press conference, Head Coach Carrie Eighmey talked about the importance of the games this weekend.
“Weber State and Idaho State will both be important games for us in the Big Sky standings, (with) everybody battling (it) out,” she said. “This stretch here to end, you want to finish as well as possible for seeding purposes. So, both are crucial games.”
1,037 people piled into Reed Gym to watch the Battle for King Spud, and the Bengals started like a hot potato. Idaho State began the game on a 6-0 run before sophomore guard Asha Phillips finally got the Vandals on the scoreboard. Both teams went cold, and after two free throws by freshman guard Aspen Caldwell, the game was tied at 11 after the first quarter.
Idaho captured their first lead of the game within the first 30 seconds of the second quarter with two free throws from graduate guard Amalie Langer. The teams went cold once again, but the Bengals got the last laugh in the half as they went on a 4-0 run. Sophomore forward Nika Lokica hit two free throws, giving ISU a 24-18 lead heading to the locker room.
Idaho found their offensive game in the third quarter with help from Caldwell. Just 45 minutes from her hometown of Idaho Falls, Caldwell showed off her offensive prowess in front of her family in the third quarter, helping the Vandals with seven points, including a huge three-pointer, to give them a five-point lead in the quarter.
The Vandals took a 37-34 lead into the final quarter. Caldwell opened the fourth with a layup, pushing Idaho’s lead to five again. The Bengals were not going down without a fight, and after some sloppy play by the Vandals, the Bengals took advantage and took a 48-43 lead with two minutes to go. With free throws on the following possessions by Caldwell and junior forward Kennedy Johnson, the Vandals cut the lead to 48-46 with 1:10 left.
A foul by Caldwell led the Bengals to two shots, which could ice the game. The Bengals, however, missed both free throws. The Vandals now had a chance to tie or win on their next possession. Schmitt did just that for Idaho.
Schmitt got the ball at the top of the key, blew by her defender, fought through the contact, made the shot and had a chance to win the game with a free throw. Looking the Jungle student section dead in the eyes, with ice in her veins, Schmitt knocked down the free throw to give the Vandals a one-point lead with three seconds left.
Idaho State’s last-second heave fell short, and the Vandals defeated the Bengals 49-48, pushing them to 13-12 (6-7) and moving them into sixth place in the Big Sky. Both teams struggled offensively, each shooting under 40%.
Idaho finished the game shooting 16-for-45 from the field, 6-for-21 from three, and 11-for-12 from the free-throw line. Idaho State was a putrid 16-for-61 from the field, 0-for-7 from three-point range, and 16-for-19 from the free-throw line.
Even through a tough shooting night for the teams, there were big games by some big players for both sides. For the Vandals, Kennedy Johnson led the way with 17 points and seven rebounds. Caldwell finished with 12 points and Schmitt finished with eight points to help secure the win for the Vandals. Even with the loss, Lokica led the Bengals with 17 points and helped keep the Bengals in the game.
The win completes the weekend sweep and gives Idaho much-needed momentum as they head home. Idaho welcomes Northern Colorado on Thursday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m., then hosts first-place Northern Arizona on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 2 p.m. The Vandals look to continue their win streak and close the second half of Big Sky play strong.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected] or on X @JaydenBarfuss10