The Idaho Vandals women’s basketball team led the Eastern Washington Eagles by as much as 14 points, but the Eagles had no intention of giving up on their home floor. Behind a ferocious 13-3 run to start the fourth quarter, Eastern Washington cut the once-commanding lead to just one point and the Vandals desperately needed a score.
With Idaho struggling offensively, they turned to defense. Senior guard Kyra Gardner, who recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 11 points and ten rebounds, had checked out in pain a few possessions earlier.
After a short spell on the bench, she checked back in and made an instant impact. She read the Eagles’ inbounds pass, stole the ball, crossed over her defender and laid it in to give the Vandals a three-point cushion. Idaho rode that momentum to a 69-63 victory, improving to 10-4 (1-0 Big Sky).
The fourth quarter nearly unraveled for the Vandals. They went ice cold from the field as Eastern Washington chipped away basket by basket. After three free throws cut the lead to 58-57, Gardner delivered her clutch steal and score.
On the next possession, junior guard Hope Hassmann found sophomore guard Ana Pinheiro for a wide-open layup and Idaho’s defense locked in, forcing four turnovers. Aggressive defense and clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch sealed the win.
Coming off a long layoff, both teams showed early rust in a back-and-forth first quarter. Idaho created separation with an 8-0 run to close the period. Pinheiro, who led the Vandals in scoring for the fourth straight game with 15 points, knocked down a three-pointer. Redshirt senior Lorena Barbosa added a layup and a three to power Idaho to a 21-15 lead after one quarter.
The Vandals took control in the second quarter with crisp ball movement and smart decision-making that built a double-digit advantage. With under three minutes left in the half, Idaho’s impressive teamwork was on full display. Sophomore guard Ana Beatriz Passos cut between two defenders and threaded a pass to the corner, where Pinheiro swished her second three-pointer to give Idaho a 37-24 halftime lead.
The Eagles continued fighting, outscoring the Vandals 20-18 in the third quarter to carry momentum into the fourth, but it wasn’t enough.
Beyond Pinheiro and Gardner, the Vandals had contributors across the floor. Hassmann was everywhere on both ends, finishing with 10 points, five assists and three steals. Redshirt senior Debora dos Santos, returning from injury, provided a huge lift off the bench with nine points and eight rebounds. Idaho’s bench, a staple of this team all season, contributed 20 points.
Despite a poor shooting night, the Eagles stayed competitive through rebounding and grit. Freshman guard Elyn Bowers, in her first Big Sky game, finished with 20 points and five rebounds. Sophomore forwardKourtney Grossman controlled the boards with nine points and 22 rebounds.
Idaho continues its road trip and will travel to Missoula, Montana to face the 3-10 (0-1) Montana Grizzlies. The Vandals and Griz will tip off from the Dahlberg Arena on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 7 p.m.