MISSOULA, Mont. (Interstat) — Kyra Gardner scored 28 points to lead Idaho to a 67-50 victory over Montana in a Big Sky Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Dahlberg Arena. The Vandals (11-4, 1-0) broke open a close game with a decisive 25-point third quarter, turning a 29-19 halftime lead into a commanding advantage. Gardner, who played 33 minutes, keyed the surge. The Lady Griz (3-11, 0-1) were led by Jocelyn Land’s 15 points. Idaho’s defense forced 22 turnovers and held Montana to 32.1% shooting from the floor. The Vandals dominated inside, outscoring Montana 36-12 in the paint. Hope Hassmann added 12 points for Idaho. Attendance was 1,892.

MISSOULA, Mont. (Interstat) — Kyra Gardner scored 28 points and the Idaho Vandals used a dominant third-quarter surge to pull away from the Montana Lady Griz for a 67-50 victory in a Big Sky Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Dahlberg Arena. The Vandals, who improved to 11-4 overall and 2-0 in conference play, turned a tight defensive struggle into a comfortable win by outscoring Montana 25-21 in a pivotal third period. That explosion gave Idaho a 54-40 lead heading into the final quarter, an advantage that proved insurmountable for the struggling Lady Griz, who fell to 3-11 and 0-3. The game was defined by defensive pressure and offensive inefficiency for long stretches. Idaho forced 22 Montana turnovers, converting them into 16 points, while Montana managed just 10 points off 20 Vandal giveaways. The Vandals also owned the interior, outscoring Montana 36-12 in the paint, a testament to their ability to break down the Lady Griz defense and finish at the rim. Gardner, the game’s standout performer, filled the stat sheet beyond her game-high point total. The guard added two assists, two blocks and was a central figure in Idaho’s disruptive defense. Her back-to-back baskets early in the third quarter, a pull-up jumper followed by a stepback, helped ignite the decisive run that stretched a 29-19 halftime lead. Hope Hassmann provided crucial support for Idaho with 12 points, while Lorena Barbosa came off the bench to add 10 points, all in the first half, helping establish an early presence inside. Mary McMorris directed the offense with a team-high five assists. Montana, which shot just 32.1% from the field, relied heavily on the three-point shot, making 11 of 28 attempts. Jocelyn Land led the Lady Griz with 15 points, and Draya Wacker added 11, but the team’s offensive rating of 66.8 points per 100 possessions underscored its struggles to generate consistent scoring against Idaho’s defensive schemes. The first half was a grind for both teams. Idaho led 14-11 after a first quarter marked by turnovers and missed opportunities. The Vandals extended the margin to 10 by halftime, but the game remained within reach for Montana until the third-quarter onslaught. Idaho’s offensive rating of 91.0, while not spectacular, was far more efficient than Montana’s output, and the Vandals’ 51% shooting from the field proved to be a decisive advantage. The Vandals also shared the ball effectively, recording 18 assists on 26 made field goals. The victory extends Idaho’s winning streak to two games as they continue a promising start to conference play. Montana, meanwhile, searches for its first Big Sky win amid a challenging season. Idaho next travels to face Montana State on Saturday. Montana will host Eastern Washington on the same day.

MISSOULA, Mont. (Interstat) — A surging Idaho Vandals squad visits a struggling Montana Lady Griz team to open a critical early Big Sky Conference women’s basketball slate Thursday at Dahlberg Arena. Idaho (10-4) enters conference play with momentum, having won six of its last seven games, including a 69-63 road victory at Eastern Washington last Saturday. The Vandals’ balanced attack was on display in that win, with Ana Pinheiro scoring 15 points and Kyra Gardner adding 11. Guard Hope Hassmann, a key facilitator, dished out five assists. Hassmann has been consistently productive, averaging 13.3 points and 4.3 assists over her last four contests. Her play will be central against Montana’s defense. The Lady Griz (3-10) seek to reverse a difficult non-conference trend, having lost five of their last six. Their season has been highlighted by the standout play of guard Mack Konig, who is coming off a 27-point performance in a loss at Northern Arizona on Jan. 1 and a 35-point outburst in an overtime win at Tarleton State on Dec. 20. Konig averages 21.2 points over her last five games, providing nearly all of Montana’s offensive firepower. Montana’s defense, allowing 77 points in a loss at Northern Colorado last time out, will be severely tested by an Idaho offense averaging 78.1 points per game. The Vandals have scored at least 89 points in four of their ten wins this season. The matchup pits Idaho’s depth and efficiency against Montana’s reliance on its star. A Lady Griz upset would provide a crucial confidence boost to start league play, while the Vandals aim to solidify their status as a conference contender. Tip-off is set for Thursday night. The Vandals continue their road trip at Montana State on Saturday, while Montana hosts Eastern Washington.