Area women’s basketball: Barr’s big day guides first-place Vandals

Stacey Barr led five players in double figures with 23 points Saturday as Idaho continued to lead the way in the Western Athletic Conference with a 96-69 win over Cal State Bakersfield (8-8, 2-2) at Bakersfield, Calif.

Barr, who finished 7 of 11 from the floor, added eight rebounds and six assists.

UI’s Ali Forde made three layups during a 14-1 run that launched the Vandals to a 16-3 lead. UI (13-7, 6-0) is off to its best conference start in 32 years.

EWU 78, Sacramento State 65: Lexie Nelson and Laura Hughes scored 19 points apiece and the host Eagles (8-8, 4-3 Big Sky) held the Hornets (11-4, 3-3) to a season low for points.

Nelson scored every point during a 10-0 run early in the second half – including two 3-pointers – to turn a four-point deficit into a 39-33 lead. Nelson has hit 20 straight free throws.

Whitworth 74, Linfield 54: Kayla Johnson and KC McConnell combined for 40 points and 11 rebounds to power the Pirates (11-4, 5-1 NWC) past the host Wildcats (5-10, 1-5) at McMinnville, Ore.

Johnson and McConnell scored five points apiece during a 14-2 first-half run to put Whitworth in charge.

Blue Mountain 76, CC Spokane 65: Mar’Shay Moore scored a game-high 32 points as the host Timberwolves (13-4, 2-2 NWAACC) turned back the Sasquatch (10-7, 2-2) at Pendleton, Ore.

North Central High graduates Kalen Via and Hailey Markham-Patti combined to hit 8 of 18 3-pointers for BMCC. Riley Holsinger, also formerly of NC, led CCS with 26 points.

Eastern Utah 63, North Idaho 61: The Golden Eagles (10-11, 4-3 SWAC) outscored the Cardinals 39-7 off the bench to earn the win. Kara Staggs led four Cardinals (17-5, 3-4) in double figures with 16 points.