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Idaho women on road again for WBI semifinal

In this March 12, 2016 file photo, Idaho guard Taylor Pierce (14) dives the ball against Idaho State guard Saylair Grandon (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball championship for the Big Sky Conference women's tournament title in Reno, Nev. (Lance Iversen / Associated Press)
By Jim Allen jima@spokesman.com

Idaho is on the road again, this time with a chance to put itself in the title game of the Women’s Basketball Invitational.

The Vandals (19-14) visit Rice in Houston on Thursday at 5 p.m. for a semifinal game. Win that and they’ll play UNC Greensboro or Milwaukee this weekend for the championship.

The Vandals are coming off an emotional 74-67 win at Eastern Washington, a game in which Karlee Wilson, Taylor Pierce and Mikayla Ferenz played all 40 minutes.

Idaho’s win over Utah State last week was its first postseason win since the 1986; the Vandals are 2-1 all-time in the WBI, with both wins coming in the last week.

Rice led all teams in Conference USA in scoring defense, allowing 61.8 points per game. The Owls’ 526 total assists also lead the C-USA and ranks 28th in the nation.

The Owls average 15.9 assists per game, good for 30th in the NCAA. Rice guard Maya Hawkins averages 5.1 assists.