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

The game was a back-and-forth affair that saw multiple lead changes, ultimately decided in the final minutes. Idaho improved to 3-1 on the season, while Southern Utah fell to an identical 3-1 record.

Hope Hassmann led all scorers for the Vandals, finishing with 21 points and five assists. Her backcourt play was instrumental in Idaho’s second-quarter surge, where they outscored the Thunderbirds 24-17 to take a 38-35 lead into halftime. Idaho’s interior presence was also a key factor, outscoring Southern Utah 42-24 in the paint, with significant contributions from Debora Reis Dos Santos, who had 13 points and six rebounds, and Lorena Vitoria Barbosa Anunciacao, who added 12 points and three blocks.

Southern Utah was led by a dominant performance from Ava Uhrich, who posted a double-double with 14 points and 17 rebounds. Kortney Doman also recorded a double-double for the Thunderbirds with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Sierra Chambers facilitated the offense, scoring 19 points and dishing out five assists.

The Thunderbirds held an early lead, ending the first quarter up 18-14, but could not sustain their momentum against Idaho’s efficient offense. Despite shooting just 30.4 percent from the floor, Southern Utah stayed competitive by hitting nine three-pointers and grabbing 17 offensive rebounds, which led to numerous second-chance opportunities.

Idaho, conversely, found more success from the field, shooting 42.9 percent. The game was a defensive struggle, with both teams combining for only seven total assists. The Vandals also held a slight edge in efficiency, posting an offensive rating of 102.3 compared to Southern Utah’s 96.9, as both teams had an identical 74 possessions.

The contest remained close throughout the fourth quarter. With the game on the line, Idaho made critical free throws and got key defensive stops in the final minute to secure the four-point victory in front of a crowd of 396.

Both teams continue their non-conference schedules next week. Southern Utah returns home to face Benedictine Mesa on Tuesday, while Idaho prepares to host UC Riverside on Friday.