COLLEGE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Idaho moves into Big Sky title game
Photo courtesy of IDAHO VANDAL ATHLETICS Idaho point guard Allison Kirby, the Timberlake High product, dribbles up the court during the first half of Wednesday's Big Sky Tournament semifinal game against Montana State in Boise. Kirby had nine points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Vandals.
From news services
BOISE — One year after having its championship matchup canceled No. 2 Idaho defeated No. 3 Montana State, 80-64, in the Big Sky Tournament Semifinals. The Vandals advance to face the top-seeded Bengals of Idaho State on Friday at 11 a.m.
Idaho and Idaho State split the regular season series in Moscow in February. The championship game will be streamed on PlutoTV channel 1050.
Montana State held a 38-32 advantage at the break, before a huge Vandal run in the third flipped things in Idaho’s favor. The Vandals opened the third with a 17-1 run to get up by double-digits. Allison Kirby, the Timberlake High product, closed the period with a buzzer-beating jumper to make it 59-47 through three.
Kirby finished with nine points, seven rebounds and six assists.
“I can’t put it into words how hard they’ve battled,” Idaho coach Jon Newlee said in a postgame interview with PlutoTV. “It’s amazing the grit, resolve and ressitency that they’ve had. It was a tough, physical game and I told our kids we’ve got to match that. The way they’ve battled through everything has been amazing.”
Montana State tried to chip away but was unable to get within seven as Idaho maintained throughout the quarter for the win.
Beyonce Bea led the Vandals with 21 points to go with eight rebounds. Natalie Klinker scored a career-high 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the double-double. Sydney Gandy had with 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.