Idaho Vandals Women's Basketball Win 10th Game in a Row

The Idaho Vandals women's basketball team has won its tenth game in a row. They beat the Idaho State Bengals 65-50. The Vandals played strong defense and got many rebounds to help them win.
By Newsroom | Sports, Basketball |

The Idaho Vandals women's basketball team has secured its tenth consecutive victory, defeating the Idaho State Bengals 65-50. This win, achieved through strong defensive play and superior rebounding, solidifies Idaho's leading position in the Big Sky Conference standings. Despite a less efficient offensive showing than usual, the Vandals managed to overcome the Bengals in a crucial road rivalry game, completing a season sweep.

Idaho Secures Tenth Straight Win Through Defense and Rebounding

The Idaho Vandals (21-5 overall, 12-1 in Big Sky) extended their winning streak to ten games with a 65-50 victory over the Idaho State Bengals (17-8 overall, 10-4 in Big Sky) on February 14, 2026. The game, played at Reed Gym in Pocatello, Idaho, saw Idaho overcome offensive struggles, including a season-low 33.3% shooting percentage and 25 turnovers.

Idaho women win 10th straight, lean on defense and rebounding to beat Idaho State - 1

  • Defensive Dominance: Idaho held Idaho State to a season-low 50 points and a 32.8% field goal percentage. The Bengals also struggled from beyond the arc, making only 1 of 9 three-point attempts.

  • Rebounding Prowess: The Vandals controlled the boards, outrebounding the Bengals 47-27.

  • Key Scorers: Lorena Barbosa and Debora dos Santos led Idaho with 15 and 14 points respectively, each also grabbing eight rebounds. Guard Kyra Gardner contributed 14 points.

This victory was part of a season sweep of Idaho State, following a dominant 99-69 win earlier in the season.

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Idaho State's Season Performance Against Conference Rivals

While Idaho State fell to the Vandals in their most recent contest, the Bengals have demonstrated their competitive strength throughout the Big Sky season. Earlier in the year, Idaho State achieved significant wins, showcasing their capability.

Idaho women win 10th straight, lean on defense and rebounding to beat Idaho State - 2

  • Upsetting Montana State: Idaho State handed Montana State its first Big Sky loss of the season with a decisive 79-60 victory on January 21, 2026. This win highlighted the Bengals' effective offense and defense. Key contributors in that game included Spink with 17 points and Aspen Caldwell with 15 points.

  • Road Success: The Bengals had shown strong performance on the road, extending a winning streak to four games and improving to 6-3 away from home as of January 4, 2026.

  • Previous Encounters with Eastern Washington: Idaho State secured a 86-51 win against Eastern Washington at Reed Gym on March 5, 2021, to clinch the outright Big Sky regular season championship. In another contest, they played a physical game against Eastern Washington where the Eagles shot 30.9 percent.

Key Players and Offensive Contributions for Idaho State

Idaho State's roster features several players who have consistently contributed to the team's performance. Tasia Jordan has been a prominent scorer, including a 30-point game against Portland State and a 29-point performance against Montana.

  • Tasia Jordan: Averaging 16.0 points per game with 5.9 rebounds, Jordan has been a primary offensive threat for the Bengals.

  • Piper Carlson: Carlson has been a notable scorer, notably contributing 15 points in a win against Eastern Washington and opening the scoring in a victory against Arizona State.

  • Teammate Support: In various games, players like Aspen Caldwell, Spink, and Estefania Ors have provided significant scoring support, contributing 15 points, 17 points, and 10 points respectively in notable games.

Idaho's Offensive Efficiency vs. Idaho State's Defensive Strategy

The recent matchup between Idaho and Idaho State presented a stark contrast in offensive execution, yet a common theme of defensive strength. Idaho's offensive output, typically a conference best, was unusually low at 33.3%, with 25 turnovers. However, their robust defense and rebounding compensated for these shortcomings.

Idaho women win 10th straight, lean on defense and rebounding to beat Idaho State - 3

  • Idaho's Offensive Metrics (vs. Idaho State):

  • Field Goal Percentage: 33.3%

  • Turnovers: 25

  • Rebounds: 47 (vs. 27 for Idaho State)

  • Idaho State's Defensive Metrics (vs. Idaho):

  • Opponent Field Goal Percentage: 32.8%

  • Opponent Scoring: 65 points (season-low for Idaho State opponents)

This dynamic suggests that while Idaho's offense faltered, their foundational strengths in defense and rebounding proved decisive against an Idaho State team that also relies on defensive stinginess, as demonstrated in their win against Montana State where they were noted for "stingy defense."

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Analysis of Recent Game Outcomes and Strengths

The recent performances highlight distinct team characteristics for both Idaho and Idaho State. Idaho's consistent victories, particularly the ten-game streak, are attributed to a balanced approach, prioritizing defense and rebounding even when offensive production is suboptimal. Idaho State, while capable of high-scoring performances and impressive wins, has shown vulnerability against Idaho, particularly in their most recent meeting where their scoring was held to a season-low.

Idaho women win 10th straight, lean on defense and rebounding to beat Idaho State - 4

  • Idaho's Consistent Performance: The Vandals' ability to win despite offensive inefficiencies points to a well-drilled team with strong defensive fundamentals and mental fortitude. Coach Alex Pribble's team has focused on these aspects, as indicated by a previous 99-69 rout of Idaho State where they also "leaned on defense and rebounding."

  • Idaho State's Fluctuating Form: The Bengals have shown the capacity to defeat strong conference opponents, such as Montana State. However, their struggles against Idaho, particularly in the rebounding department and offensive output, suggest areas for development. In one instance, Eastern Washington noted Idaho State scored 20 points off of 19 EWU turnovers, indicating an opportunistic defensive approach that can generate points.

Conclusion and Implications

The Idaho Vandals have established themselves as a formidable force in the Big Sky Conference, evidenced by their ten-game winning streak and position atop the standings. Their recent victory over Idaho State underscores their ability to win through strong defense and rebounding, even when their offense is not at its peak. This resilience is a critical asset for their continued success.

For Idaho State, the loss to Idaho highlights the importance of consistent offensive production and better control of the defensive boards against top-tier opponents. While they have demonstrated the ability to win significant games and possess impactful individual players, the recent results against the Vandals suggest a need to refine their performance in key statistical areas. The season sweep by Idaho indicates a current competitive disadvantage that the Bengals will need to address in future matchups.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many games in a row has Idaho won?
The Idaho Vandals have won ten games in a row. This is their longest winning streak.
Q: Who did Idaho beat?
Idaho beat the Idaho State Bengals. The final score was 65-50.
Q: What helped Idaho win the game?
Idaho played very good defense and got a lot of rebounds. These helped them win even when they did not score as much as usual.
Q: Is Idaho doing well in their league?
Yes, Idaho is doing very well. This win helps them stay at the top of the Big Sky Conference.