CALDWELL, Idaho (Interstat) — The Idaho Vandals used a dominant first-quarter run to seize control and never looked back, cruising to an 89-56 victory over the Cal State Northridge Matadors in a non-conference women’s basketball game Sunday at Idaho Central Credit Union Arena.

Idaho improved its season record to 5-1, while Cal State Northridge fell to 2-3.

The Vandals’ offense was ruthlessly efficient, scoring at a rate of 115.0 points per 100 possessions compared to a meager 72.0 for the Matadors. Idaho’s command was established early, closing the first quarter on a 25-4 run to take a 28-10 lead. The Matadors struggled to find any offensive rhythm against an aggressive Idaho defense and were unable to mount a significant challenge for the remainder of the contest.

A key factor in the lopsided result was Idaho’s overwhelming advantage on the glass. The Vandals hauled in 21 offensive rebounds, leading to numerous second-chance opportunities and a 46-26 advantage in points in the paint. Cal State Northridge managed only nine offensive boards.

Idaho’s offensive attack was balanced and potent. Lorena Vitoria Barbosa Anunciacao, a 6-foot-5 freshman from Itatiba, Brazil, led all scorers with 18 points in just 26 minutes of play. She was complemented by a strong supporting cast: Hope Hassmann of Maple Valley, Washington, scored 14 points, Ana Pinheiro of Braga, Portugal, added 11 points and four assists, and Ella Uriarte of Folsom, California, also chipped in 11 points.

The Vandals also received a significant contribution from Debora Reis Dos Santos, who came off the bench to record a double-double with 11 points and eight rebounds. Sarah Brans of Dublin, California, provided a major spark on the boards with eight rebounds in only seven minutes of action.

For Cal State Northridge, the offensive struggles were pervasive. The team shot just 31.9 percent from the field, connecting on only 22 of 69 attempts. Their performance from beyond the arc was equally cold, making just 8 of 33 three-point attempts for a 24.2 percent success rate. Rita Nazario, a guard from Figueira da Foz, Portugal, was the lone Matador to reach double figures, finishing with 11 points. Jite Gbemuotor of Delta State, Nigeria, provided a brief spark off the bench with seven points and four rebounds in just eight minutes.

Idaho’s defense was relentless, forcing 14 Cal State Northridge turnovers and converting them into 18 points. The Vandals also tallied 10 steals and four blocks, with Pinheiro and Morgan Edwards of Los Angeles each recording two blocks for their respective teams.

The game was part of a strong early-season stretch for Idaho, which entered as a heavy favorite according to advanced statistical projections. The Vandals will look to continue their momentum as they head to a multi-team event in Irvine, California, with games against Colgate and Wichita State. Cal State Northridge returns home to face LIFE Pacific as it seeks to get back to a .500 record.