The third-seeded Montana Grizzlies’ offensive firepower was on full display as they defeated the Vandals 73-61, advancing to the semi-finals and ending the Vandals’ season. The Vandals ended the season 15-16 (8-10) and suffered a third loss to Montana.
With four of their five starters in double figures, the Griz outscored the Vandals by 20 combined points in the first and third quarters and led by as much as 24 points in the game to send them home.
With the lights shining bright, the Vandals vs. Grizzlies was poised to be a great game. The game began in a flourish, both teams making their first three shots. Unfortunately, that would be the Vandals’ only bright spot on offense. Idaho would then shoot under 30% for most of the game. The Vandals, however, cut the Grizzlies’ second-quarter lead to 26-21 with just over six minutes left in the half.
Montana outscored the Vandals 10-5 in the final six minutes, including a 7-0 run to end the half and extend their lead to 36-26. With 20 minutes left in their season, the Vandals needed a response in the third quarter.
A response did not come, and Montana went on another offensive splurge and outscored the Vandals 25-14 in the third quarter. However, the Vandals caught some momentum with a buzzer-beater three-pointer by graduate guard Sarah Schmitt to cut the lead to 60-41.
The Vandals showed no quit as they went into the fourth quarter looking to cut into the lead as much as they could. Idaho got the game within 10 points, 71-61, but the 21-point deficit was too much. Montana closed out Idaho 71-63 to advance to the semi-finals against number two seed Northern Arizona but were knocked out today with a 74-67 loss.
The Vandals did not have many bright spots on offense except for junior forward Kennedy Johnson and Schmitt. Johnson led all scorers in the game with 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
Schmitt was another standout, scoring 14 points and adding three assists to help bring the Vandals back.
The Griz, led by fifth year guard Maggie Espenmiller-McGraw, who finished the game with 15 points, fifth year and former Vandal Gina Marxen, who added 14 of her own. Sophomore Mack Konig helped put the Vandals away with 13 points and three assists.
In her last game as a Vandal, Schmitt spoke postgame about playing her final game in her college career and in a Vandal uniform.
“Obviously, it’s sad being done playing college basketball. I’m just so grateful this year has been a great experience,” she said. “This year has had a lot of ups and downs, and everyone on the team grew as people. And I will take that into whatever I do next.”
Montana is tough to defend. Head Coach Carrie Eighmey explains what makes them so challenging.
“They’re just so complete; they’ve got everything,” she said. “They have so many weapons, and they’re great passers. They have great length. Like I said, they are by far the most (offensive) talented team (in the conference).”
The Vandals will graduate four players this year but Johnson, a junior, is disappointed about the loss but is excited about the future.
“Losing is a tough, it’s a tough time. But I think just looking back at the season, we just overcame so much,” she said. “Our situation was totally different being a new team, new transfers, new coaching staff and few returners. We were able to work with what we had, and I think we had a lot of success this season that we (can) continue to draw on.”
Idaho had mixed results this season and ended the season under .500. Eighmey reflected on whether the season was a success.
“Yeah, I think so. All things considered, I thought we had some phenomenal stretches in the season and some good early success. The trip to Hawaii, with the wins at Hawaii on the road, was huge for us to come home with that tournament championship. I felt like we were building some good momentum. And then, we lost Hope (Butera) and had to redesign our team a bit.”
She continued, “But our players did a phenomenal job of responding and adjusting and were willing to do whatever we needed to fill that hole. So yeah, all in all, it’s not just about wins and losses. It’s also about building this team into the best version of itself. And I feel like we made a ton of progress throughout the season. We look a lot different now than we did early in the season in November.”
The 2023-2024 season was full of ups and downs for the Vandals. Every time they were tested and faced with adversity, the result may not have been a win, but the Vandals are heading in the right direction and have the right person at the helm to turn this program back into a winning program.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected]