Vandal women’s basketball traveled down to Reno, Nevada, this past weekend to play in the Nugget Classic. The Vandals lost in all three matchups.
University of San Francisco
The Vandals’ first game was against the San Francisco Dons on Friday. The first half ended with the Vandals up 38-34. After almost going shot-for-shot in the third quarter, San Francisco took off in the fourth. The Dons went on a 6-2 run to put them up 10 for most of the final quarter.
The Vandals were almost able to make a comeback. With a minute remaining, they took the deficit down to just three points off a layup by junior guard/post Beyonce Bea. But San Francisco was able to make a few free throws in the final 30 seconds of the game, and they took the win 77-70.
Despite the loss, the Vandals had two graduate student guards that earned double-doubles. Louise Forsyth had 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Allison Kirby led the team with 14 points and 15 rebounds.
University of Nevada
On Saturday, the Vandals went up against the Nevada Wolfpack. It was a neck-and-neck game from start to finish. The score was tied 22-22 at the end of the half, but a buzzer-beater 3-pointer from sophomore guard Sydney Gandy allowed the Vandals to go into the fourth quarter with a lead.
Scoring in the first half of the quarter was scarce, but once the seven-minute mark hit, both teams went on a roll. With five minutes left, Nevada redshirt sophomore guard Alyssa Jimenez hit both free throws to bring it within two points. A good effort by the Vandals allowed them to take a three-possession lead with two minutes left, but Nevada was determined to go until the clock ran out.
After a layup and a jumper, the Wolfpack made the score 60-59 with 53 seconds left in the game. Nevada utilized their defense to get the last possession with 25 seconds left, so the shot clock was not a factor. With five seconds left, Nevada senior guard Nia Alexander was able to draw the foul on a shot in the paint, and she made both free throws. The Wolfpack took the game 61-60.
Gandy led the Vandals in scoring with 14 points and tacked on four assists and two rebounds. Kirby scored 13 points, pulled down eight rebounds and dished out five assists. Off the bench, Bea scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
Drake University
For the weekend’s final game on Sunday, the Vandals played the Drake University Bulldogs. Drake came into this game 4-2, beating both teams Idaho had played earlier in the tournament. The Vandals kept the game close for the first half, matching almost every shot Drake made, ending the half only down 39-35.
The second half did not go as well for the Vandals, and the Bulldogs were able to double their lead at the end of the third quarter. Defensive stops and good shooting allowed the Bulldogs to run away with it in the fourth, and they won the game 83-66.
It was another good scoring game for Gandy as she put up 13 points, leading the Vandals. It was also another all-around good game for Forsyth as she put up 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds.
The Vandals will continue their road trip over the next three weeks, taking on Southern Utah on Dec. 4, Texas on Dec. 11, and then they will head to Maui, Hawaii, to compete in the Maui Wahine Classic. When the long road trip is finally over, they will return to the ICCU Arena on Dec. 30 to play against Northern Arizona University.
James Taurman-Aldrich can be reached at [email protected]