The Vandals have still never beat Louisiana Tech in women’s basketball and the Techsters overcame a 20-point deficit to beat Idaho 67-58, snapping a two-game win streak for Idaho.
La. Tech improved its record against Idaho to 16-0 all-time and went a game up on the Vandals in WAC standings. The Vandals will have a chance to get back to their winning ways when they play Texas-Arlington at home on Saturday.
Junior Alyssa Charlston said it was disappointing to come so close against a team Idaho has never beat.
“It’s frustrating to come in here and lose the
big lead,” Charlston said. “It would have been a historic win for us. It’s just frustrating.”
The Vandals played a solid first half against the Techsters — thanks in big part to freshman Christina Salvatore’s 14 points — and took a 36-27 lead going into the locker room.
The two teams started off close, but Idaho used an 8-0 run early to build a lead. Louisiana Tech stayed in range, but Idaho held a comfortable lead for most of the first half.
“We came out strong,” Idaho coach Jon Newlee said. “I thought we played extremely well on both sides of the ball.”
The Vandals came out of the second on fire, going on a 14-3 run to start the period and found themselves up by 20 just four minutes in. The Techsters countered with a 27-5 run to dissolve the Idaho lead and take a lead of their own. The Vandals tied the game one more time, but the Techsters never lost momentum and went on to win.
Salvatore said Idaho didn’t react strong enough when the shots stopped falling and gave up the momentum.
“We’ve done a better job at winning, e
ven when our shots aren’t falling,” Salvatore said. “Tonight I think we kind of gave it to them.”
Junior Alyssa Charlston led the Vandals with 16 points. Salvatore was the only other Vandal in double figures with 14, but was shut down by the La. Tech defense in the second half. Meanwhile the Techsters had three players in double figures, led by Janay Borum.
Idaho was out-rebounded by the Techsters 42-34, a stat Newlee said really hurt the Vandals.
“It cost us in the first half, it certainly cost us in the second half,” Newlee said. “That’s an effort thing and a physical thing. Our kids got to get tougher inside, I do know that. Everyone had to rebound and do their share.”
This isn’t the first time the Vandals have given up a big lead in the second half. Newlee said his team just needs to stay more composed and not get careless.
“We got the big lead and I think again we had some people rushing shots, taking quick shots and being carless with the basketball,” Newlee said. “Then from a defensive standpoint we gave them some good looks and let them get going.”
Kevin Bingaman can be reached at [email protected]