MOSCOW, Idaho -- Olivia Nelson tied her career high 29 points - a mark she has now reached four times - to lead Idaho over Eastern Washington University, 67-57.
The Vandals are 12-4 and 4-1 in the Big Sky Conference. EWU slipped to 6-11 and 2-3.
Nelson shot 9 for 15 from the floor, made two of three three-point attempts, 9 of 12 free throws and grabbed six rebounds.
She was intentionally fouled three times in the closing minute and went 4 of 6 at the line. And the misses visibly frustrated her.
"I hate missing free throws no matter what the occasion," she said.
The Vandals and Eagles battled closely in the paint, but Idaho enjoyed the advantage on the wings and, especially with Nelson, with the guards. Nelson scored 17 points in the first two quarters as Idaho extended a two-point lead coming out of the first quarter to 35-25 at the half.
"That 35 points in the first half is probably one of our highest first halves of the season," said Vandal coach Arthur Moreira.
Rosie Schweizer was Idaho's other double-figure scorer, with 14 points, and from her guard position Anja Bukvic grabbed 12 rebounds.
Ella Gallatin paced the Eagles with 14 points. Kourntey Grossman added 11 and Jaecy Eggers and Peyton Howard 10 apiece. Grossman also grabbed 12 rebounds. EWU got within seven, 54-47, with five minutes to play and kept within contact the rest of the way. But Nelson said the Vandals were never rattled.
"As long as you control yourself, stay poised and come back to the ball it is really hard for the other team to get back in the game," she said.
Idaho plays host to Montana Monday, and the Grizzlies put coach Brian Holsinger on leave this week, for as yet undisclosed reasons. Associate head coach Nate Harris has taken over, and Moreira noted the Vandals, who beat Montana in Missoula this year, expect a fired-up opponent.
"Usually, when a team is hit with adversity like that, they come out stronger," he said.