Against the backdrop of the crisp Colorado mountain air and an early 8-0 deficit against the Northern Colorado Bears, the Idaho Vandals faced a steep climb in Greeley. With hearts as steady as the Colorado skyline, they fought their way to a 68-57 victory over the Bears, securing their sixth straight victory and moving them to a 14-4 (6-1) record.
Graduate guard Olivia Nelson—who has been outstanding in conference play—led the Vandals with 27 points and a career high eight rebounds. She was a huge spark for the Vandals in the second half, scoring 18 of her 27 points during the latter half.
Coming off of Monday’s hot start and a five-game winning streak, the Vandals came with the confidence to get their sixth straight victory.
The Bears had other plans and came and punched the Vandals in the mouth with an 8-0 run. The Vandals, off a basket from junior guard Anja Bukvic, got on the board and played good Vandal basketball from there.
The Vandals went on a 14-1 run, forgot the rough start, and held a 16-12 lead with 20 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Redshirt freshman Ana Beatriz Passos Alves da Silva collects the ball on the wing, splits two defenders, weaves into the lane, makes the layup, and is fouled.
Beatriz Passos Alves da Silva missed the foul shot and the Vandals held an 18-12 lead after the end of the first quarter.
Idaho continued its momentum, outscoring the Bears 16-12 in the second quarter and taking a 34-24 lead into the locker room.
As the Vandals took the court, Nelson took the game into her own hands. Nelson started the half with a layup, followed by back-to-back three-pointers to give the Vandals their largest lead of the game, 42-28.
Nelson finished the quarter with 10 points, and behind her strong quarter, the Vandals held a 48-39 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Bears—who had been in hibernation since the first three minutes—began to show some life and with three minutes left, cut into the Vandals’ lead.
With the Vandals leading 58-49, the Bears needed a basket, so sophomore forward Tatum West got the ball at the top of the key, drove past graduate forward Jennifer Aadland, and scooped the ball with her right hand for a layup to cut the deficit to 58-51.
The game began to wind down, and the Vandals showed their poise and experience. Some clutch free throws by Nelson and Hassmann helped them secure a sixth straight victory and move into second place in the Big Sky.
Alongside Nelson, Hassmann and graduate forward Rosie Schweizer were the other Vandals in double figures. Hassmann finished the game with 12 points and three assists and Schweizer helped out with 10 points and five rebounds.
The Vandals will now head to Flagstaff, Arizona, to take on the 15-5 (6-1) Northern Arizona Lumberjacks in a battle for sole possession of second place in the Big Sky Conference rankings.
The Lumberjacks explosive offense behind junior forward Sophie Glancey, who was picked as preseason Big Sky player of the year, and junior guard Taylor Feldman are the primary offense for the Lumberjacks. Feldman and Glancey both average 17 points a game.
The fast-paced Lumberjack offense poses a real challenge to the Vandals’ stout defense.
The Lumberjacks and Vandals will tip off from the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 11 a.m.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at arg-sports@uidaho.edu.