MOSCOW, Idaho—Idaho looks to even the series with Northern Colorado on Saturday. The Bears make their first trip to the Cowan Spectrum (2 p.m. PT). Admission for the game is free.
About Idaho: Idaho won its Big Sky opener, 92-65, over North Dakota on Thursday. The Vandals shot a season-high 58.8 percent from 3 and an impressive 50.0 percent from the floor.
About Northern Colorado: UNC dropped its conference opener, 59-55, at Eastern Washington. The Bears fought back after trailing by 16 at one point. Kianna Williams led UNC with 19 points.
The Match-Up: Idaho trails UNC, 1-0, in the series. the two schools met for the first time last season in Greeley. UNC hit 10 3-pointers, taking the contest 70-52. Christina Salvatore led Idaho with 16 points.
Conference Openers: Idaho improved to 3-5 under Jon Newlee in his eight conference openers.
Lights Out: Idaho shot a season-high 58.8 percent (10-for17) from 3-point range against North Dakota. It was the best shooting performance since a 60.0 percent (9-for-15) showing against Seattle U (12/29/12).
Hot Start: For the third time in program history, Idaho recorded nine wins before the New Year. The Vandals did it previously in 1984 and 1985.
Times Five: The Vandals had five players score in double figures twice this season. (5, Carroll, 6, CSUN).
Bounce Back: Idaho is 2-2 following a loss this season. The team was 10-5 last season following a loss. On the flip side Idaho is 6-2 this season after a win.
20+ Club: Idaho has won seven games this season by a margin of 20 or more points. The Silver and Gold won eight games by 20 or more points last season.
Make it Rain: The Vandals are fourth in the NCAA with 9.8 3FGM per game. As a team they have hit a combined 127 3-pointers, fifth-best in the NCAA.
Hard to Stop: Opponents have struggled to slow the Idaho offense. Idaho is averaging 72.2 ppg (2nd BSC) and is outscoring opponents by 12.1 ppg, 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 second in the conf. with 5.2 blocks per game and second with 67 total on the season.
Third is Best: Idaho has outscored opponents by 43 points (246-203) in the third quarter. The Vandals posted a season-best 26 points in the third quarter against North Dakota.
First 10: Idaho shot a season-high 52.25 (12-23) in the first quarter against CSUN. The Vandals are out-scoring teams 200-159 in the first quarter.
Second Half Surge: Idaho has scored 481 points in the second half this season (excluding OT). Idaho is outscoring opponents by 60 points in the final 20 minutes (excluding OT).
Halftime: The Vandals are 8-0 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.
In Relief: Idaho scored a season-high 46 points off the bench against North Dakota. The Vandals have scored 349 points off the bench in 13 games. The bench has averaged 26.8 points per game, out-scoring opponents by an average of 7.5 ppg.
Thievery: Idaho scored a season-high 37 points off turnovers against CSUN. The Vandals scored have scored 20+ points off turnovers six times this season, four games better than last season.
Down Low: The Vandals posted 356 points in the paint in 13 games, averaging 27.4 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 14.7 personal fouls per game. The Vandals rank 26th in nation in the category.
Helpers: Idaho has averaged 14.9 assist per game this season, ranking fourth in the Big Sky.
Tough D: Opponents are shooting just 36.3 percent, ranking second in the Big Sky in Field-Goal Percentage Defense.
