MISSOULA, Mont. -- UND played Idaho early in the season at The Betty. UND dominated, winning by 30 points.
The rematch, however, was anything but domination for UND.
Idaho beat UND 53-50 on Thursday night in the opening round of the Lady Griz Holiday Classic at Dahlberg Arena. The loss dropped UND to 6-7 while Idaho of the Western Athletic Conference improved to 5-8.
UND looked nothing like it did back in November when it ran past the Vandals 84-54.
UND started slow and trailed 36-18 at the half before making a comeback. But UND's rally didn't please coach Gene Roebuck.
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"We were lazy, slow and soft," Roebuck said in a postgame radio interview. "There are no excuses. We need to grow up.
"We embarrassed North Dakota."
Madi Buck led UND with 18 points but she was the only North Dakota player in double figures. No other UND player managed more than six points.
Idaho, which scored only 17 second-half points, was led by Ganeaya Rogers' 15 points. Stacey Barr added 12.
UND shot poorly from the field, making 18-of-64 attempts for 28 percent. But UND did outrebound Idaho 54-35 behind Buck's 10 boards.
UND will play future Big Sky Conference member Montana tonight in the second half of the Lady Griz Classic.
