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Klinkers, Idaho advance to Big Sky Conference championship game

Lizzy Klinker
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BOISE, Idaho -- Lizzy Klinker scored a game-high 13 points to help Idaho to a 66-51 win over Idaho State in the semifinal round of the Big Sky Conference women's basketball tournament Wednesday at CenturyLink Arena.

The Vandals led just 30-28 at halftime and 44-43 after the third quarter, but they outscored the Bengals 22-8 in the final 10-minute frame to secure their spot in the conference championship game. Second-seeded Idaho and top-seeded Montana State will tip off at 1 p.m. Friday for the league title and automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Klinker, a senior from Fairfield, played 33 minutes Wednesday after leaving Tuesday's quarterfinal win early with a rolled ankle. She said it was fine after Tuesday's game and showed no ill effects on Wednesday. Her younger sister, Natalie, added seven points, eight rebounds and three steals in the win for the Vandals, who also got 12 points from Isabella Hadden and 11 from Gina Marxen.

Idaho State was led by Dora Goles and Diaba Konate, who each scored 12 points in the loss.