NAMPA, Idaho – Women's basketball went 14-36 (39%) from three-point range in Saturday's 87-56 win over Northwest Nazarene, marking the most three-point makes in a single game in two years. The 31-point bounce back win started with a five-point Lion deficit after the first quarter, but VU powered their way back, outscoring the Nighthawks 69-33 over the final 30 minutes of game time.

The Blue and Gold close their four-game road trip, improving to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in the all-time series against NNU. The Nighthawks are handed their first loss of the season, falling at the Johnson Sports Center to drop to 3-1.

VU was led by the guard tandem of Halle Si'i and Micaela Hanning, who combined for 45 points and eight steals on the day. Si'i hit a career-best six three pointers (6-10) to highlight her match-high 24 points. Her 20+ point performance was her first of the season and 10th overall in her Blue and Gold career.

Hanning had a season-high 21 points on 8-14 from the field and 3-6 from downtown. She also laid out six dimes.

Kayla Boozer was a perfect 6-6 from the floor to own 14 points in 14 minutes off the bench. Aryanna Hudson delivered 10 points in the win, while Emma Schaaf netted nine points and seven rebounds.

Both benches showed up, with VU narrowly outdoing the Nighthawks 31-28. The Lions, however, ran up the score in the turnover department, committing just 13 and forcing 28 from the Nighthawks. VU were +37 in points off turnovers (41-4) and +10 in second chance points (16-6).

What Happened? VU were a slower 21% (5-23) to get things underway after tipoff. However, with three of their five field goals coming from the three-point line and a 5-6 conversion rate at the charity stripe, they managed to stay close to the Nighthawks throughout the quarter.

Northwest Nazarene hit five treys in five minutes to put the Lions on the early back foot. Si'i wasted no time getting on the board, as the senior downed two three pointers and a pair of layups to claim 10 of the first 12 VU points for a 17-12 NNU score. 1:30 later, Si'i secured a steal to lead the break, finding Ashlin Crabtree in transition to hit the first of her two triples in the contest (17-15 NNU).

The Nighthawks' impressive 67% field goal percentage (8-12) in the quarter kept their lead intact on a 6-3 run. VU's closing points in the quarter came from the line through Kaylee Byon and Crabtree.

The Lions flipped the scoreline in the next quarter, holding the Nighthawks to just seven points, while scoring 24 themselves. The Lions shot 69% (9-13) and hit their first four shots to spur a 12-3 run. The sharpshooting included a Hanning layup in the lane, two Si'i three-pointers and a Schaaf trey.

Up 30-26, the Lions ran away with the game's momentum as NNU hit just one more field goal in the remainder of the half and would go on to shoot 3-26 from deep over the remaining quarters after their great start in the first frame. Si'i hit another three-pointer before eventually taking a breather with 19 seconds left to go, and Schaaf snagged a block and two free throws to end the period.

Third quarter scoring was much more even between the sides (15-11 VU), but the Lions' well-established lead proved hard to dislodge. The Blue and Gold also maintained their three-point rhythm in the quarter (5-6), while the Nighthawks (1-6) remained stalled from three.

VU's buckets in the third frame were all exclusively three-point makes, with points split between Si'i, Hanning, Schaaf and Crabtree.

The Lions forced 11 turnovers in the final quarter and scored 17 points off them. They also secured 24 bench points in the last 10 minutes to skyrocket to a 30-point lead. Boozer and Hudson controlled the scoring, producing 24 of the 30 points. Hanning was the other VU scorer in the frame, as the Lions went on to cruise to their third win of the season.

What Was Said? "We had great energy tonight and really bounced back after a tough loss," applauded Head Coach Russ Davis. "Halle was fantastic offensively with her energy. I'm incredibly happy for her and proud of her stepping up. Honestly, we were just locked in and competed hard. I'm looking forward to playing some home games after four straight road games to open the season."

What's Next? It's the home opener on the way as the Lions welcome Life Pacific on Monday, December 1, at 7:30 p.m.