CALDWELL, Idaho –
Alyssa Case scored a career-high 26 points, as the College of Idaho vaulted into fifth-place in the Cascade Conference race, toppling the Evergreen State College, 67-57, inside the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
The Lady Yotes (7-14, 7-8 CCC) won their third in a row and for the sixth time in eight games – avenging a road loss to the Geoducks. C of I used a 42-29 edge in rebounds and made 16-of-20 free throws in the home victory.
C of I made six of their first eight shots – including 3-pointers from Case and
Sophia Jackson – in a 15-4 run to open the game. The Geoducks (9-11, 7-8) battled back in the second quarter, as Deidra Miller scored a pair of buckets in an 8-1 run that pulled the visitors within 24-20 with three minutes left in the half. The Yotes had a response, as Case and
Madison Holly forced consecutive backcourt turnovers into lay-ups, as C of I scored the final six points of the half, taking a 33-22 lead to the break.
The lead would grow to 50-35 early in fourth quarter on a Case steal and basket, only to see TESC force three turnovers in a 12-2 run, capped by a bank-shot from Cierra Moss, to get the Geoducks within 56-52. C of I turned to their guards, as Case converted a short jumper and
Keahi Roy completing a conventional three-point play to put the game away.
Case finished 9-of-16 from the field, adding eight rebounds and four steals. Roy had 13 points,
Jocelyn Cook-Cox had 12 points, with Jackson adding seven points and six boards.
Lindy Westendorf led all players with 13 rebounds on the night.
Miller and Japhera McEachin led TESC with 14 points, with Alexcis Higginbotham scoring 11. The Geoducks made just 2-of-12 3-point attempts in the loss.
C of I closes out their five-game homestand tomorrow with a 5:30 p.m. match-up against Northwest University.
