COLLEGE WOMEN: Idaho advances to Big Sky tourney semifinals
Natalie Klinker (42) of Idaho drives on Belle Frazier of Portland State on Tuesday night.
BOISE — The Klinker sisters, Lizzy and Natalie, combined for 34 points and 17 rebounds as the second-seeded Idaho Vandals beat the No. 7 Portland State Vikings 56-54 in the quarterfinals of the Big Sky Conference women’s basketball tournament Tuesday at CenturyLink Arena.
Lizzy Klinker led the Vandals with 19 points, and Natalie Klinker totaled a team-high 12 boards, to go along with 15 points.
After trailing for most of the game, the Vandals (21-9) outscored Portland State (16-16) 18-12 in the fourth period to secure the win and move on to the semifinals vs. Idaho State (18-12) tonight at 7 PDT.
Beyonce Bea chipped in 16 points and eight boards for Idaho. Gina Marxen led the Vandals with nine assists.
Bea extended the Vandals lead to three, 55-52 with 15 seconds left following a layup.
Allison Kirby, a junior from Timberlake High, hit a free throw to give the Vandals a four-point lead, before the Vikings scored a late basket.