The Idaho Vandals went to California on Feb. 8, aiming to complete the season sweep of the Sacramento State Hornets. With 2:48 to go in the game, the Vandals were unable to score again.
The Hornets went on an 8-0 run to close out the game. Behind a bad end of the game and 24 turnovers, the Hornets defeated the Vandals 56-53, handing them their second loss in their last three games and three in the last five. This dropped them to 16-7 (8-4) in the season.
From the opening tip, the Vandals and Hornets engaged in a back-and-forth battle, largely due to the Vandals’ self-inflicted wounds. Idaho struggled to find their offensive rhythm, leading to a slim 11-8 lead after the first quarter.
The second quarter was the same story as the Vandals did not get any offense going and turned the ball over. They were trailing 19-18 with under a minute to go in the first half, desperately needing a spark on offense.
The Vandals turned to graduate forward Jennifer Aadland. Idaho’s ball movement found the hands of Aadland on the right wing. She launched a three-pointer and the ball fell through the net, giving the Vandals a 21-19 lead going into the locker room. The Vandals committed 16 first-half turnovers and shot a putrid 7/30, leading to 21 points.
Out of the locker room, Idaho got things going with a 7-3 lead and took a 28-22 lead. Sophomore guard Hope Hassmann helped the Vandals to their best quarter. Hassmann had nine points in the quarter, the Vandals leading 36-34, before capping her quarter with a huge momentum play.
Idaho, moving the ball around, found the hands of junior forward Sarah Brans who got the ball on the right side of the key. Brans turned and skipped the ball to the left side of the court to Hassmann.
Hassmann already knocked down one three in the quarter. This time, she shot-faked and blew by her defender. She then pulled up and knocked down the jumper, giving her 11 points in the quarter and the Vandals a 38-34 lead.
The Vandals took the momentum into the fourth quarter and were in good shape for 7 minutes but closed the game on a 2 minute and 48 second scoring drought. Senior forward Jaydia’s Martin tip-in layup with 17 seconds gave the Hornets the three-point victory over the Vandals.
Hassmann led the Vandals with 19 points, shooting a perfect 7/7 from the field and 4/6 from the free-throw line. However, Hassmann also led the team with six turnovers.
Aadland was the only other bright spot on offense, posting her sixth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Vandals have not looked like their best in their last five games, dropping three of their last five and having had two of their worst offensive performances and their worst defensive performance of the season in this span.
During these five games, the Vandals have been unable to string quarters together over the last month. They need a statement game if they want to make a run at the Big Sky championship later this season.
Idaho will get that chance for a statement win after they get some time to rest and regroup as they head into the home stretch of the Big Sky schedule.
The Vandals will be on the road for a third straight time when they drive up the highway and take on the 9-15 (5-7) Eastern Washington Eagles. The Vandals defeated the Eagles 67-57 at ICCU Arena last month and will try to go for the season sweep on Feb. 15 at 1 p.m.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at arg-sports@uidaho.edu.