by HONOLULU, Hawai’i – The Vandal women’s basketball team picked up their first road win, 56-48 against Cal State Fullerton in the first match of the Bank of Hawai’i classic. Birthday girl, Ashlyn Wallace led the team with 13 points and was joined by two others in the double digits.
Today’s win was an all-out effort for the Vandals on both sides of the court. Hope Butera dominated in the paint grabbing a season-high 10 boards. Wallace shot for her season-high going 4-7 from the field, 3-6 from beyond the arc and 2-2 from the free throw. Amalie Langer and Sarah Schmitt joined Wallace scoring 10 plus. The trio all went 100% from the free-throw line. Schmitt’s 12 points also marked her season high. Kennedy Johnson was a defensive force, leading the team with a season-high three steals.
The neutral site proved to be difficult for both teams as they struggled to find their rhythm in the first 10 minutes. Langer led the court with five points going 1-2 from the three-point line and 2-2 from the free-throw line. Both teams ended the half in single digits with the Vandals up 9-6.
The second quarter proved to be much more fruitful for Idaho as they finally found their step. The Vandals went on a 13-0 run, holding the Titans scoreless for over seven minutes. During the run, Cal State Fullerton shot 0-9 and the Vandals forced three turnovers. Schmitt rocketed the Vandals forward with six points shooting perfect 2-2 from three.
At the end of the first half, the Vandals had an eight-point lead, 22-14. The low-scoring half makes sense as both teams struggled offensively. Idaho shot 31.8% (7-22) on field goals, 50% (4-8) from three, and 100% (4-4) from the line. The Titans shot 20% (5-25) from the floor, 14.3% (1-7) from three, and 100% (3-3) from the line. Butera (8) and Schmitt (6) led the court in rebounds and points, respectively.
Both teams came out with an improved effort in the second half. Wallace earned decent minutes in the rotation and started to find her groove, scoring five points and grabbing two rebounds. The Titans fought back, attempting to cut the deficit point by point but Idaho was able to hold on, outscoring them 16-15 in the quarter.
Idaho grinded out the final 10 minutes to secure the win despite being outscored 18-17. Langer and Wallace both scored five points apiece to keep the Vandals afloat. CSUF capitalized on their opportunities, shooting 50% in all categories.
Cal State Fullerton ended the half shooting 56% (14-25) from the field, 50% (3-6) from three, and 60% (3-5) from the charity stripe while the Vandals shot 48.1% (13-27) from the field, 25% (3-12) from three, and 83.3% (5-6) from the line. Wallace scored 10 of her total points in the second half while CSUF’s Gabi Vidmar scored 17.
