The University of Idaho Argonaut

Idaho coach Jon Newlee and the women’s basketball team are looking to do something no Idaho basketball team has ever done -- advance out of the first round of the WAC tournament.

The Vandals rebounded from a senior night loss to Louisiana Tech to close out the season with a win over the Nevada Wolfpack in Reno, and will face New Mexico State in the first round of the WAC tournament Wednesday afternoon.

After selfish play doomed the Vandals’ senior night hopes, Idaho came out strong and shared the ball in the win over Nevada, which Newlee called a complete game.

“We didn’t have that typical some-part-of-the-game slump where it all goes bad,” Newlee said. “We shared the basketball and everyone was trusting each other with the ball.”

The win put Idaho at a perfect .500 with an 8-8 conference record and gives them the No. 4 seed in the tournament. The Vandals’ reward is a draw against a potent New Mexico State, which earned the No. 5 seed with a win over San Jose State last weekend.

Idaho has defeated New Mexico State in both meetings this season, although Newlee said he doesn’t think the Aggies will be a pushover team. In both games earlier this season, the Aggies pushed Idaho to the brink, losing by three points in the first game and one point in the next.

The Aggies have three players who average in double-digits, predominantly Jasmine Lowe, who leads the pack with 20 points per game, and Crystal Boyd, who averages 17 points per game.

While Idaho did a fantastic job of shutting down Lowe last time around — Lowe didn’t register a single point — Boyd gave the Vandals fits with her speed, size and booming shot. Handling Boyd and limiting  damage done by Lowe and Tabytha Wampler will be one X-factor for Idaho, and could decide if Idaho sticks around in Reno or  heads home early.

On offense, Newlee must be breathing a sigh of relief, as it looks as if Bianca Cheever has snapped out of her slump. After being of limited use for the middle of the season, Cheever has regained her scoring touch in the past few games. Against Nevada, Cheever put an exclamation point on her return by knocking out 15 points and bringing down four rebounds.

A hot Cheever could spell big trouble for New Mexico State, as Newlee said Cheever has the ability to knock out 3-pointers from anywhere on the court.

Rachele Kloke will also need to have a smart game after developing a habit of getting into early foul trouble near the end of the season.
Kloke is a power player who can overtake games, as evidenced by the Kloke-show that was the game against Nevada, where she dominated with 26 points and eight rebounds.

If Kloke stays out of foul trouble and Cheever has a hot night, combined with secondary scoring from Yinka Olorunnife and Shaena-Lyn Kuehu, it would be hard to bet against the Vandals.

Should Idaho defeat New Mexico State, its reward will be a clash with undefeated Fresno State, which is  expected to dominate Hawaii in its opening tournament game.

Fresno State has been unstoppable this season, but cracks in the armor have begun to show for this power squad, and blowout wins are  less  frequent.

They are still an extremely dangerous squad, with Jaleesa Ross, who was voted WAC Defensive Player of the Year, and are coached by Adrian Wiggins, who was voted WAC Coach of the Year.

For now, Newlee and the Idaho Vandals are focused on New Mexico State. Conference records mean nothing now — it’s a 40 minute season every night from here on out.

Ilya Pinchuk/Argonaut

JR Conrow - Argonaut

	1. 10-03-2010 13:57
	I was there last year. Although personal finances have thwarted me this year, last year I arrived a day late and a dollar short. My Vandal women were already sent packing, and my men's team didn't fare that much better.    You ladies have nothing to lose. Play with absolute abandon. I predict a first round victory and mayhem afterwards. Try to save a little for the second rough, though, won't you?     Go Lady Vandals! Registered

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