Idaho women ease past Southern Utah; Eastern Washington up next

RENO, Nev. – A hot start and a strong finish helped push Idaho past Southern Utah, 83-68, in the opening round of the 2017 Big Sky Tournament on Monday afternoon. With the win, the Vandals move on to face No. 4 Eastern Washington at 2:35 p.m. on Wednesday at the Reno Events Center.

Idaho (17-13) got out to a hot start, taking a 20-7 advantage midway through the first quarter behind three 3’s from junior Brooke Reilly. The Vandal defense was exceptional early on, holding the Thunderbirds to just two field goals in the first five minutes. Southern Utah would take a lead in the third quarter, but the Vandals responded. The Thunderbirds got up 47-42 with just under six minutes to play in the quarter but Idaho closed out the period on a 16-6 run to take a five-point advantage into the fourth.

Mikayla Ferenz was the top scorer for the Vandals, finishing with 25 points and Reilly battled for 18 points and 10 rebounds, recording her fourth career double-double.