FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Interstat) — The surging Idaho Vandals, riding a nine-game winning streak, visit the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks in a Big Sky Conference women’s basketball matchup Thursday at Walkup Skydome. Idaho (23-5 overall) has been dominant during its run, which includes a 94-71 home victory over Northern Arizona on Jan. 31. The Vandals are coming off a 75-60 win over Sacramento State last Saturday, where Hope Hassmann scored 22 points. A key catalyst for Idaho is guard Kyra Gardner, who is averaging 13.1 points over the last eight games. In the Jan. 31 win over the Lumberjacks, Gardner posted a stat line of 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks. She scored 17 points in a win over Portland State on Feb. 19 and 18 in an overtime victory against Montana State on Feb. 5. Northern Arizona (10-18) seeks to halt a two-game skid after a 53-81 loss to Northern Colorado. In that game, forward Layla Davis led the Lumberjacks with 15 points and seven rebounds. Davis has shown flashes, scoring 13 points in a win over Weber State on Feb. 7, but consistency has been a challenge for the home team. The Lumberjacks’ last win was a 60-55 road victory at Sacramento State on Feb. 14. They will need a significant defensive improvement to counter a Vandals offense that has scored 80 or more points in five of its last nine games. The game tips off at 6 p.m. MST Thursday in Flagstaff. Idaho’s next game is at home against Northern Colorado on Saturday. Northern Arizona travels to face Eastern Washington on Saturday.