MOSCOW, Idaho—The Vandal women's basketball team returns home on Sunday, after two tough road losses last week. Idaho hosts Abilene Christian at 12 p.m. PT in the Cowan Spectrum. Sunday is Community Day featuring $3 great group admission prices.
Radio: Sunday's game shifts from the normal AM 840 to AM 1400 due to a conflict with the Seattle Seahawks broadcast.
About Idaho: The Vandals struggled on the road last week, going 0-2 against Texas Tech and No. 7 Oregon State. Renae Mokrzycki led the team with 12.5 ppg last week. Sunday opens a five-game homestand.
About Abilene Christian: The Wildcats have been off since Dec. 6. before taking on Eastern Washington (Dec. 18) and Idaho this week. ACU enters the weekend at 6-2, following wins over Grand Canyon and Eastern Michigan at the Air Force Classic. Junior Alexis Mason was voted MVP of the tournament.
The Match-Up: The Vandals and Wildcats meet for the first time on Sunday.
Hot Start: Despite dropping two in a row the Vandals' 7-3 start is the best since 2003-04 season. The '03-'04 Vandals opened 12-1. The team's third loss did not come until Jan. 24.
Low Point: Idaho hit just 13 field goals at Oregon State, shooting 20.3 percent. It was the first game since playing No. 1 UConn in the 2013 NCAA Tournament that an Idaho team failed to hit 15 field goals. It was the fewset FGM since converting 11 against Montana on Nov. 18, 2008.
Two Down: Idaho has lost two in a row for the first time this seaosn. The Vandals avoided three consecutive losses five times this season. The Silver and Gold have not lost three games in a row since Dec. 14-28, 2013.
Bounce Back: Idaho is 1-1 following a loss this season. The team was 10-5 last season following a loss. On the flip side the team was 4-9 following a win.
Breaking the Boards: Oregon State's 51 rebounds were a season-high by an Vandal opponent. Idaho got out-rebounded 51-44.
Make it Rain: The Vandals are third in the NCAA with 10.9 3FGM per game. As a team they have hit a combined 98 3-pointers, second-best in the NCAA.
Hard to Stop: Opponents have been unable to slow the Idaho offense. Idaho is averaging 71.2 ppg (2nd BSC) and is outscoring opponents by 11.4 ppg, also second in the conference.
Rejected: Idaho swatted a season-high 10 shots against Wyoming. The most since blocking 10 against Seattle U on March 1, 2014. The Vandals are fourth in the conf. with 4.8 blocks per game and third with 48 total on the season.
First 10: Idaho shot a season-high 52.25 (12-23) in the first quarter against CSUN. The Vandals are out-scoring teams 146-125 in the first quarter.
Third is Best: Idaho has outscored opponents by 30 points (184-154) in the third quarter. The Vandals posted a season-best 23 points in the third quarter against CSUN. 25.9 percent of this season's scoring has come in the third.
In Relief: Idaho has scored 260 points off the bench in its 10 games. The bench has averaged 26.0 points per game, out-scoring opponents by an average of 3.6 ppg.
Thievery: Idaho scored a season-high 37 points off turnovers against CSUN. The Vandals scored have scored 20+ points off turnovers five times this season, three games better than last season.
Down Low: The Vandals posted 257 points in the paint in 10 games, averaging 25.7 per game (40 vs CSUN season high). Idaho averaged 27.3 points in the paint last season.
Playing Nice: Idaho is the least penalized team in the Big Sky, averaging 14.0 personal fouls per game. The Vandals rank 16th in nation in the category.
Downtown: Idaho has hit a 103 3-pointers this season, leading the Big Sky. The Vandals rank fourth in the nation with 10.3 3FGM per game.
Helpers: Idaho has averaged 15.0 assist per game this season, ranking third in the Big Sky.
Tough D: Opponents are shooting just 36.2 percent, ranking third in the Big Sky in Field-Goal Percentage Defense.
Streaking: Idaho had its four-game win streak come to and end at Texas Tech. It was the longest winning streak since Idaho won eight in a row in 2013-14.
Top Score: Texas Tech scored an opposition season-high 78 points. It was the most since Montana's 81 points late last season.
Charity: Idaho made a season-high 15 free-throws against Wyoming. The Vandals hit five key freebies in the final 33 seconds to close out the win.
Boarding: Idaho's 50 rebounds against Wyoming marked a season-high. The Vandals totaled 50+ rebounds 10 times last season.
200: Idaho made 219 3-pointers last season, the fourth year in a row hitting 200+. Currently the Vandals are on pace for more than 300 3FGM this season, averaging 10.9 per game (3rd NCAA).
Halftime: The Vandals are 6-0 when leading at the half. The Vandals have trailed three times this season at the break. Idaho is 1-3 when trailing at the half. Last season Idaho was 0-12 when starting the second half behind on the scoreboard.
