The University of Idaho Argonaut

Vandal guard, Emily Doran, from Corvallis, Ore., receives a pass during practice Thursday afternoon in the Cowan Spectrum. Doran and the Vandals will look to better their record of 2-4 this Sunday when the Vandals take on Long Beach State in the Cowan Spectrum. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. Nick Groff/Argonaut

The University of Idaho women’s basketball team returned home from California with one victory and one loss in the Cal Poly tournament.
Sophomore Yinka Olorunnife led the Vandals in scoring throughout the two-day tournament, scoring 15 points in the first game against Cal Poly and 23 against CSU Bakersfield.
The Vandals lost to Cal Poly 77-60 but came back the next day to pick up their second win of the season against CSU Bakersfield 75-62.

Olorunnife has had little trouble scoring double digits this season, but 23 points was her game high so far, and she’s happy with the way she’s playing.
“I think I’m playing much better, I’m finally reaching my potential and doing what I wanted to do last year,” Olorunnife said. “There’s still room for improvement, but I’m playing much better.”
She said in the second game it came down to better shot selection, and she just made the open shots.

Another player who hit double digits during the weekend’s win was junior point guard Charlotte Otero.
Otero started the season slow, scoring just two points in the home opener against Montana, but found the confidence to drive it to the hoop, and said it’s something she’s getting used to.
“I have to get used to it because I wasn’t really much of a scorer before,” Otero said. “But now I’m realizing my opportunities and seeing when I’m open and just taking advantage of it more.”

The young team showed it’s coming together with a total of four players all scoring in the double digits during the win.
Otero said after the first loss the team was hungry to get a win, and they all wanted to play hard and show what they’re capable of.
“I think after the first game everyone responded, and we weren’t going to be embarrassed,” she said. “A lot of us had family out there, and we just wanted to bring it together and play like we knew we could play.”
Otero said the players are beginning to feel more comfortable in their positions, and that makes the whole team better.
“Everyone’s contributing,” she said. “Everyone’s kind of realizing their role. Once everyone steps up and plays to their strength it gets everyone else open.”

Overall, Idaho coach Jon Newlee and his team were happy with the weekend’s performance, but agreed it still has much to build on this season.
“I think any time you go on the road and you get a split, you’re happy with it,” Newlee said. “The goal is to get both, but when you do get a split, it’s a successful trip I think.”
The Vandals took the court this week preparing for Sunday’s home game against Long Beach State.
The 49’ers have the size advantage over the Vandals, but have a record of just 1-3, compared to the Vandals’ record of 2-4.

“They’re talented, and they’re an athletic team,” Newlee said. “It should be a fun game to watch.”
It will be the women’s first game in the Cowan Spectrum, and the team is looking forward to about the new environment.
“I’m expecting a win,” Otero said. “We’ve been really pumped up and we’re starting to realize how to play much better as a team. We can only expect to go up from here.”
The game starts at noon Sunday in the Cowan Spectrum.