The Vandals could not keep up with Northern Arizona after a back-and-forth first quarter. Behind 17 3-pointers and 28 points from junior forward Sophie Glancey, the Lumberjacks eventually rolled to a 106-76 victory to snap the Vandals’ six-game winning streak and drop them to 14-5 (6-2).
“It’s probably one of the best shooting performances I’ve seen in my career,” Head Coach Arthur Moreira said. “It just felt like they couldn’t miss. They’re good offensively, and they have multiple players that can score. There’s not much we could do in the game; it’s one of those where you just got to tip your cap and move on.”
The Vandals, riding a six-game winning streak and a 68-57 victory over Northern Colorado, came in with confidence and showed it early on.
The Vandals took a quick 5-2 lead after graduate guard Olivia Nelson’s layup and a deep 3-pointer by sophomore guard Hope Hassmann got the Vandals’ offense going. The Lumberjacks used their high tempo and Glancey to get their offensive rhythm, and with under a minute to go in the quarter, they held a 29-23 lead, looking to put the Vandals under pressure.
Hassmann had other ideas. With 18 seconds left in the quarter, Hassmann drove to the lane, stopped, and used an up-and-under pump fake to get Glancey on her feet. Hassmann drove by her and got the layup to go to cut the Lumberjacks’ lead to 29-25 at the end of the first quarter.
The high-paced tempo of the game took its toll on the Vandals, and the Lumberjacks took control of the game early in the second quarter. Behind lights-out shooting and the brilliance of Glancey and senior guard Nyah Moran, the Lumberjacks held up to an 18-point lead and took a 56-42 lead into the locker room. The Vandals’ six-game winning streak looked like it was coming to an end.
The Lumberjacks picked up where they left off and left no doubt outscoring the Vandals 50-34 in the second half, cruising to a 30-point victory, and taking sole possession of second place in the Big Sky.
Despite the loss, the Vandals impressed offensively, scoring and tying their second-most points in a game this season. Hassmann and graduate forward Jennifer Aadland led the team with 14 points, with graduate Olivia Nelson adding 13 to continue her streak of seven straight games in double figures.
Glancey an Idaho native for the Lumberjacks was outstanding from the opening tip and showed why she is Big Sky preseason MVP. Glancey finished with 28 points, seven rebounds three assists and five blocks (three of those in the first quarter)
Moran was also excellent for Northern Arizona as she finished with 18 points and 5/9 from beyond the arc.
The Lumberjacks’ high tempo caused the Vandals problems from the start of the game, a facet they look to improve on before they host the Lumberjacks on Feb 20.
“I think how quickly they push the ball in transition. We knew that from film, but it’s one of those things that you don’t realize until you play them.
The Vandals, who have played four games in seven days and had to deal with high elevation, travel, and other facets, hampered the Vandals’ energy in a fast-paced matchup.
“Travel was hard for us; being our fourth game in seven days is not easy. I don’t think we gave our girls the best chance to win that game was with everything leading up to (the game),” Moreira said.
The Vandals will get some rest as they are back in the ICCU arena for a pair of matchups. They will host the 7-10 (4-3) Weber State Wildcats on Thursday, Jan 30, at 6 p.m., as the Vandals look to get back on track and start another winning streak.
“They’re tough man,” Moreira said. “They’re physical It’s going to be an interesting battle I think it’s going to be tough. Both teams are constructed very similarly, it should be a pretty fun matchup.”