The Vandals faced off against the Wildcats in a matchup between third and fourth place teams in the Big Sky standings. Weber State, with a 7-10 overall record, had won back-to-back games and boasted a 4-3 record in conference play. Idaho was looking to bounce back from a surprising 106-76 loss against NAU.
Idaho, led by head coach Arthur Moreira, relied on key players like Olivia Nelson and Jennifer Aadland, who were among the nation’s best rebounders. The Vandals had a strong defensive presence, ranking high in field goal percentage defense and rebounds per game. Despite the loss to NAU, Idaho had a successful season start, with Nelson averaging 13.4 PPG and Aadland making significant contributions.
Weber State, under head coach Jenteal Jackson, struggled defensively, allowing nearly 70 points per game. The team featured leading scorer Taylor Smith and was looking to improve its turnovers per game statistics.
The Vandals had a diverse roster with international players from Brazil, Portugal, Serbia, and Australia, adding to the team’s depth and talent. The team played its home games at the ICCU Arena in Moscow, known for its technological advancements and fan experience.
Coach Moreira had assembled an experienced coaching staff, including Drew Muscatell, Lindsey Foster, Derek Saich, and Denise Rosario. The team’s success during the season saw them achieve their highest NET ranking in program history and showed promise for the remainder of the season. Despite preseason rankings putting them lower in the Big Sky standings, the Vandals were determined to prove themselves as contenders in the conference.
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