The Idaho Vandals have started the season 2-1 with an impressive win over Washington State, as well as a win over Walla Walla. However, the Vandals will be hosting a very good Southern Utah team as they look to get to 2-0 at the Idaho Central Credit Union Arena.
“These first three games [were] a gauntlet. It’s good to get some rest,” head coach Arthur Moreria said. “There’s a couple things we got to fix. I think shot selection, we’re going to work on that this week. Watch a lot of film, now we can kind of break down all three games and see what we’re good at, where we’re not good at, and then our defensive rotations. Those two are probably my priority right now to fix.”
A big reason for the Vandals’ success this season is 5’11 senior guard Kyra Gardner. Gardner is averaging 17.3 points over the last three games. Her three-point ability has been a huge boost for the Vandals and she is one of the leaders in the country in three pointers made while also being named Big Sky player of the week heading into this game.
Gardner has been influential in the last three games and will be one again on Saturday. Alongside Gardner sophomore guard Ana Pinheiro has been excellent so far this season averaging 13.3 point per game. Pinheiro started the season having career high’s in the Vandals first two games before playing limited minutes against Walla Walla.
Southern Utah is a good team with a lot of firepower and will test the Vandals defensively, which they have struggled with these past three games.
Idaho’s fast paced style of play has played well for them so far, and they will look to get shots up early and often and wear down Southern Utah and get to 3-1 on the season.
The game will tip off from ICCU Arena on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m.
Taylan Hallum can be reached at [email protected].