University of San Francisco Athletics

MOSCOW, Idaho — The San Francisco women's basketball team had everything going on both sides of the ball Saturday during the first half, but host Idaho flipped its strategy at halftime and came out with a big comeback, overcoming a double-digit USF lead to win, 70-63, in a non-conference matchup at Memorial Gym.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Idaho reversed its strategy coming out of the locker room in the second half, and it worked to cut San Francisco's lead down to single digits. After throwing up 20 3-point shots in the first 20 minutes, the Vandals only attempted four in the third quarter, missing all but one of them. Idaho instead took the ball down low for layups and to draw fouls. It worked to the tune of an 8-0 run that made it just a five-point game at 39-34.
   
• The Vandals would cut USF's 13-point halftime lead to just two at the end of the third. A big 3-pointer from Taylor Pierce right before the buzzer made it 47-45 in favor of USF. Though Idaho was just 5 for 19 shooting in the third, it was a perfect 8 for 8 from the free-throw line.
   
• Idaho took its first lead of the game 81 seconds into the fourth quarter on a running layup from Mikayla Ferenz, and it would never trail again. That bucket was part of a 19-4 run that gave Idaho a double-digit lead at 64-54 with three minutes to play. At game's end, the Vandals would outscore USF 44-24 in the second half alone. Though Idaho shot just 36.4 percent in the second half, they made good on their free throws, going 18 for 20 from the free-throw line.
   
• The Dons' defense shut down everything Idaho was trying to do in the early minutes of the game, allowing the offense to put them ahead. Idaho entered the day averaging more than 30 3-point shots a game. It would take 20 3-point attempts in the first half, only making two of them. Meanwhile, the USF offense created open looks down low early and the Dons converted. Kia Vaalavirta, Shannon Powell and Moa Lundqvist all converted early layups and the Dons jumped out to a 10-2 lead.
   
• San Francisco continued its early-quarter momentum in the second, running off a 12-4 stretch that pushed its lead to 33-21. Vaalavirta hit a key 3-pointer during the run while scoring six of her 10 first-half points in the second frame. Both teams would struggle in the final minutes of the first half however, combining to go 1 for 8 from the floor with two turnovers in the final 2 1/2 minutes.

NOTABLE NUMBERS

• 1 for 15: The Dons went just 1 for 15 from 3-point distance, with Vaalavirta's second-quarter make accounting for USF's only trey. They were 0 for 11 in the second half.
• 3: San Francisco had three players score in double figures. It has had multiple double-digit scorers in every game this season, and Saturday marked the third straight game with at least three.
• 40: Idaho's Ferenz scored a game-high 40 points. She was 15 of 31 from the floor and a perfect 7 for 7 from the free-throw line. No other Idaho player scored in double figures.

COMING UP

• The Dons conclude their three-game stint away from home at 7 p.m. Wednesday when they travel to the state capitol to play Sacramento State. Fans can find all live coverage links on USFDons.com.