Cowgirls win big vs. Idaho State

[MrTitleist]

From Wyoming Athletics:

The Wyoming Cowgirl basketball team opened up the 2007-08 regular season with a 76-50 victory over the Idaho State Bengals, on Friday night, in Laramie.

"I thought Justyna (Podziemska) was the difference in the game tonight," said UW head coach Joe Legerski. "She finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and more importantly 5-7 from the three point line, which was one of the reasons we ended up winning tonight. It was a difficult night and a difficult opponent to open up with. Idaho State is a tough team. They play extremely hard, continue to come at you and don't miss from the free throw line."

Three players finished the night in double-figures for Wyoming led by senior Justyna Podziemska. She recorded a game high 19 points, along with seven rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocked shots. Podziemska also shot 7-10 from the field and 5-7 from beyond the arc. Sophomore Aubrey Vandiver finished her night with 15 points and a team high eight rebounds in 26 minutes of play, while Hanna Zavecz recorded 14 points. As a team, the Cowgirls shot 27-57 (.474) from the field and 14-18 (.778) from the free throw line.

Natalie Doma was the leading scorer and rebounder for the Bengals with 14 points and ten rebounds. Jenna Brown and Andrea Lightfoot each added nine points, while Michelle Grohs had eight. Idaho State shot 15-51 (.294) and a perfect 15-15 (1.00) from the free throw line.

After the two teams traded three point field goals, the Cowgirls went on a 6-0 scoring run to open up a 9-3 lead. Doma completed a three point play to pull the Bengals within three, 9-6. Wyoming responded by scoring 12 of the next 14 points to extend the lead to double-figures 21-8. Idaho State went cold as they went over seven minutes with out a basket which was finally broken by a three point field goal. That would start an 8-4 run to bring the Bengals to within six, 25-19. The Cowgirls closed out the half by scoring five of seven to take a 30-21 lead in to the locker room.

Podziemska led all scorers at halftime with nine points, while adding four rebounds. Zavecz followed with six points, while Jodi Bolerjack added five. Wyoming shot 11-27 (.407) from the field and 4-12 (.333) from beyond the arc.

Grohs led the way for Idaho State at the break with six points, while Doma had with five points and four rebounds. The Bengals were 7-20 (.350) from the field and 4-8 (.500) from beyond the arc.

The two teams played evenly first several minutes out of the halftime break until a 9-6 run by the Cowgirls put them up 46-33. Idaho State responded by scoring the next seven of ten points to pull within nine, 49-40 with 8:33 remaining on the clock. Two three point field goals and a layup helped Wyoming regain a 13-point lead 57-44. It was never close after that as UW closed out the game on a 19-6 run to win the game, 76-50.

Wyoming will resume play next week on Thursday, Nov. 15, as they host the Kansas State Wildcats. The game is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Arena Auditorium.