MOSCOW, Idaho (Interstat) — In a tightly contested Big Sky Conference women’s basketball game defined by offensive rebounds and defensive stands, the Idaho Vandals edged the Southern Utah Thunderbirds 76-72 on Saturday at Idaho Central Credit Union Arena.

The game, played before an announced crowd of 396, saw both teams enter and exit with identical 3-1 records after a back-and-forth battle that featured 13 lead changes and was tied on nine occasions. Neither team led by more than seven points, and the outcome remained in doubt until the final seconds.

Idaho secured the victory at the free-throw line in the closing moments. With 11 seconds remaining and Idaho clinging to a 75-72 lead, Southern Utah’s Brooklyn Fely was called for a foul, sending Mary McMorris to the line. McMorris missed the first free throw but calmly sank the second to extend the lead to four points. Southern Utah’s last-second three-point attempt was off the mark, allowing the Vandals to escape with the win.

The game was a tale of contrasting strengths. Southern Utah dominated the offensive glass, hauling in 17 offensive rebounds which led to 19 second-chance points. Idaho, however, controlled the interior, outscoring the Thunderbirds 42 to 24 in the paint and outblocking them seven to six.

Hope Hassmann led all scorers for Idaho, pouring in 21 points and dishing out five assists. Her backcourt presence was crucial in navigating Southern Utah’s defensive pressure. Debora Reis Dos Santos provided a massive spark off the bench for the Vandals, contributing 13 points and six rebounds in just 15 minutes of action, while Lorena Vitoria Barbosa Anunciacao added 12 points and three blocks.

For Southern Utah, the duo of Ava Uhrich and Kortney Doman recorded double-doubles in the losing effort. Uhrich, a 6-foot forward from Burlingame, California, posted 14 points and a game-high 17 rebounds to go with three assists. Doman, playing all but five minutes of the contest, finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Guard Sierra Chambers led the Thunderbirds in scoring with 19 points and matched Hassmann with five assists.

The game’s momentum swung dramatically in the second quarter. After Southern Utah built an 18-14 lead in the opening period, Idaho erupted for 24 points in the second quarter, spearheaded by Hassmann’s playmaking and timely shooting, to take a 38-35 advantage into halftime.

Southern Utah responded after the break, winning the third quarter 22-16 to reclaim a slim 57-54 lead heading into the final frame. The fourth quarter was a tense affair, with the teams trading baskets and the lead. Idaho’s ability to consistently score inside and convert critical free throws down the stretch—despite shooting just 17 of 28 from the line for the game—proved to be the difference.

Both teams struggled with their overall shooting. Southern Utah connected on just 21 of 69 field goal attempts for a 30.4 percent clip, while Idaho fared slightly better at 42.9 percent, making 27 of 63 shots. The Thunderbirds found more success from beyond the arc, hitting 9 of 23 three-pointers compared to Idaho’s 5 of 18.

The Vandals improved their season record to 3-1 and will next host UC Riverside on Friday, November 21. Southern Utah, also now 3-1, returns home to face Benedictine Mesa on Tuesday, November 18.