Idaho women’s basketball returns to Moscow as it looks to continue its recent win streak against Montana and Montana State.
The contests also support a noble cause.
The Vandals (11-8, BSC 8-2) are on a four-game win streak and now have a conference record of 8-2 after another weekend sweep, picking up some great accomplishments along the way.
Senior guard Taylor Pierce hit her 400th career three against Southern Utah, making her just the third athlete ever to reach this accomplishment in Division 1 women’s basketball.
“It’s awesome. It’s such an amazing accomplishment to do that,” head coach Jon Newlee said. “I knew (Pierce) was a great shooter when I recruited her, and to get to this level is really just to fulfilling for her and it’s just been a joy to coach her these four years.”
Senior guard Mikayla Ferenz is also closing in on becoming the all-time leading scorer in Idaho history, just needing 15 points in Thursday’s game against Montana.
The Grizzlies (10-9, BSC 5-5) have been up and down throughout their season. After upsetting Idaho in Missoula, Montana is 1-2 and lost big to Idaho State and Montana State.
Sophomore post Natalie Klinker shoots over a Portland State defender in Cowan Spectrum.
While the Vandals usually have a short memory when it comes to losses, the three-point loss to the Grizzlies on Jan. 19 has Newlee and his team having feelings of revenge going into Thursday’s game.
“I know we didn’t play near as well as we could have, especially defensively in that game. It’s one I definitely circled and I’m ready to go,” Newlee said. “I hope our team feels like that, because I do.”
Montana’s Jace Henderson had a career game against Idaho, scoring 31 points and grabbing 12 rebounds and will be a focal point to ensure that this kind of performance doesn’t happen in Cowan.
Newlee said the Vandals are going to focus on limiting the post play for the Grizzlies by playing more help defense inside but will also need to limit the three-point shooting because the Grizzlies shot an impressive 41.7 percent from beyond the arc.
Idaho will also be having its “Hoops for Hope” pink game against Montana, wearing pink warm up and having cancer survivors receive free admission to the game. There will also be a silent auction held at Gritman Medical Center during the game and all proceeds will go to local people who are battling cancer.
On Saturday, Montana State (11-10, BSC 6-5) will be rolling into town to close out the weekend of play.
The Bobcats sit at fifth in the rankings and are coming off a 74-52 win over the Grizzlies.
Montana State is led by Claire Lundberg, who is averaging 17 points a game this season and pulling the offensive weight for the team. Idaho was able to limit her scoring to keep the Bobcat offense in check.
Newlee said the Vandal’s defense was “simply great,” but that they will need to limit Tori Martell, a 3-point specialist who has been finding her rhythm since coming off an injury this season. The Vandal squad will need to keep an eye on Oliana Squires as well, who uses her quickness and athleticism to penetrate the defense and get looks inside.
But as the Montana schools come to town, Montana natives Natalie and Lizzy Klinker will be ready to go and put on a show.
“I know that (the Klinkers) are going to be fired up,” Newlee said. “Those Montana girls always get fired up when playing both Montana schools. I’m sure they will come to play.”
Lizzy had a career game against the Grizzlies, scoring 14 points and having seven rebounds before fouling. Natalie’s rebounding and second chance looks have been key to Idaho’s offensive success, which is ranked 25th in the nation in scoring, averaging 77.5 points a game.
Idaho plays Montana at 6 p.m. Thursday and Montana State at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Cowan Spectrum.
Zack Kellogg can be reached at [email protected].