Trojan Defense Leaves Idaho in the Cold, 74-51

The University of Idaho women’s basketball team came into Friday night’s first-round NCAA West Regional game against USC with some impressive shooting credentials.

The Vandals walked away from the Sports Arena after a 74-51 loss wishing they could have taken a few more shots--and made a few more, too.

The 15th-ranked Trojans, on the other hand, made more than enough and will advance to next Thursday’s West Regional semifinals at Pauley Pavilion, where they will face the winner of tonight’s Cal State Long Beach-Brigham Young University game.

Idaho, which finished at 28-2, led the nation in field-goal percentage (54.2%) during the regular season and had two starters shooting better than 60%.

The Vandals simply could not solve USC’s aggressive, man-to-man defense in the first half and managed just 23 points on 21 shots, while turning the ball over 13 times.

The Trojans took about twice as many shots (40) in the first half and scored about twice as many points (42). They increased their comfortable halftime lead to as many as 28 points in the second half and were never threatened.

Forward Cheryl Miller, who was named the Naismith Women’s Player of the Year Friday for the second straight year, had an excellent all-around game with 21 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocked shots and 5 steals.

Center Holly Ford added 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting, while guard Yolanda Fletcher had 10 points. Point guard Rhonda Windham had eight assists.

Idaho played nearly even with USC (21-8) in the second half and might have made a dent in the Trojans’ lead if it could have shot better. The Vandals, who shot 42% in the first half, attempted 43 shots in the second but made just 14 of them for 32%.

“That was one of the toughest defensive teams we’ve faced this season,” Vandal Coach Pat Dobratz said. “We are normally good shooters, but tonight we rushed our shots, altered our shots, and they didn’t fall.”

Idaho sat back in a 2-3 zone the entire game, but the Trojans, who have had trouble solving sagging defenses this year, were patient on offense, often working the ball around until they got an open shot.

“All week long, we focused on movement against a zone,” USC Coach Linda Sharp said. “When we did that, we developed good rhythm. We didn’t have many fast-break baskets, so we had to work the ball around.”

Idaho, the Mountain West Conference champion, also entered the game with the nation’s best winning percentage, but the Vandals had not played one team in the NCAA’s tournament field of 32 during the regular season.

“This was the first time we’ve faced this kind of competition this year, and it showed,” Dobratz said.

Kris Edmonds scored 16 points and Mary Raese added 15 for Idaho.