COMING UP: vs. No. 21 Northwest, Friday, 7:30 p.m.; vs. Evergreen, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
LAST WEEK: at Oregon Tech (W 79-72), at No. 12 Southern Oregon (L 100-93 OT)
LIVE STATS/LIVE VIDEO: Live Video and Live Stats will be available for all Cascade Conference games this season, home and away. A Live Video feed can be accessed online via C of I’s athletic website at
http://yoteathletics.com/sports/2012/8/14/live_video.aspx?&tab=2, with Live Stats available at
http://www.sidearmstats.com/cofidaho/mbball/scoreboard.aspx.
BIG ROAD TRIP: Having lost 23 of their last 30 CCC road games and facing two teams in the latest NAIA rankings, it looked to be tough going for the Coyotes heading into games at Oregon Tech and Southern Oregon. However, the Yotes responded – using a big second half to upset OIT on their court for the first time since 2005, then took No. 12 SOU to overtime before dropping a tight decision. The C of I forced 53 turnovers in the two games – while shooting better than 50-percent in both second halves.
AN OVERTIME GAME?: The Saturday night game at Southern Oregon marked the first overtime contest the Yotes have played in since the 2008-09 season – when The C of I earned an 88-85 win over San Diego Christian at the Wendy’s Classic and an 85-81 home win over Eastern Oregon. The last overtime loss by a C of I team was during the 2007-08 season, a 71-66 loss at Concordia.
GARRETT HAS BREAKOUT WEEKEND: For the Yotes to be successful, the must get production out of their bench – and that was the case last weekend. Forward
Antonio Garrett (Slymar, Calif. / Glendale CC) had back-to-back outstanding games, making a combined 14-of-16 field goal attempts on the trip. The junior scored a career-high 21 points at Southern Oregon, logging his first double-double by adding 11 rebounds. Garrett, who had 10 points in the win at Oregon Tech, played a season-high 28 minutes at SOU.
DONALDSON HAS QUALITY GAMES: The Yotes also got solid production out of wing
Sidney Donaldson (Coventry, England / Charis Prep), as the sophomore tallied 16 points in the win at OIT and 15 points at Southern. A key was at the foul line, where Donaldson had made just 48-percent of his attempts this season, but on the trip, made 14-of-18 freebies.
RODRIGUEZ DISHES IT OUT: Point-guard
Miguel Rodriguez (Wilder, Idaho / Wilder HS) found the open man last weekend, recording 15 assists and six steals in the Yotes two games. For Rodriguez, the eight assists at OIT was a season high and marked the first time since the 2009-10 season that a C of I player had at least seven assists in back-to-back games (Kelvin Potts had eight assists vs. Concordia and seven assists vs. Warner Pacific).
CAREER GAME FOR KOGA: Heading into Friday night, it had been a tough senior year for
Duncan Koga (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) – averaging two points per game and missing his past 13 three-point attempts, dating back to early November. However, the tide turned in a flash in the second half at OIT, as Koga scored a career-high 16 points in the period alone, including four three-point makes, in the Yote win.
DEFENSIVE PRESSURE: The Yotes have made a name for themselves the past few seasons with their defense, and the 2012-13 season has been no different, as The C of I ranks third in the NAIA Division II in turnover margin and steals per game.. Over the past four games, the Yotes have combined for just 44 turnovers, while forcing their opponents’ into 93 miscues.
3-POINT STREAK: The Coyotes CCC rival, Corban University, currently holds the all-time record for consecutive games with a three-pointer made, canning a trey in 857 games, with UNLV five games behind the Warriors. The C of I is in the rare company, having made a three-pointer in 750-straight games – dating back to a loss to Idaho State at the Real Dairy Shootout on Dec. 2, 1988. That game marks the lone contest in C of I history in which the Yotes have failed to make a three-pointer (since the line was established in 1986).
CCC/NAIA POLLS: For the third-straight polling period during the regular-season, the Yotes were not ranked among the CCC Top-6, as Eastern Oregon held the top spot, followed by Southern Oregon, Warner Pacific, Northwest, Oregon Tech, and Northwest Christian. In the latest NAIA Division II Top-25 Poll, Eastern Oregon remained at No. 2, with SOU climbing four spots to No. 12. Warner Pacific fell to No. 14, Northwest fell to No. 21, with OIT receiving votes. Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) is the No. 1 team in the poll, followed by EOU, Indiana Wesleyan, Embry-Riddle (Fla.), and Northwood (Fla.). Three preseason opponents’ were in the NAIA Division I poll – No. 7 Westminster and No. 11 Lewis-Clark State, with Montana Western receiving votes. The next Top-25 poll will be released on Tuesday, Jan. 8.
AROUND THE LEAGUE: The two league leaders will have stern road tests this weekend – as Southern Oregon (and Oregon Tech) head north to Concordia and Warner Pacific, while Northwest (and Evergreen) head east to Eastern Oregon and The C of I. Northwest Christian hosts Corban in the travel partner match-up on Saturday.
ABOUT NORTHWEST: The Yotes will look to end their longest losing streak against any opponent on Friday, meeting No. 21 ranked
Northwest. The Eagles (13-2, 3-0 CCC) , who advanced to the national quarterfinals at last season’s NAIA Tournament, are riding a seven-game win streak – hitting 47-percent of their field goal attempts, averaging over six rebounds per game more than their opposition, and outscoring foes by 14 points per game. Transfer Michael Russo (19.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg) is their top playmaker, with returners Michael Greene (18.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and Ryan Dornik (10.4 ppg, 3.0 apg) both solid contributors. It is the 35th all-time meeting, with the series square at 17-17, with NU having won the past seven in a row.
ABOUT EVERGREEN: Saturday, a much improved
Evergreen squad heads to Caldwell, fresh off snapping a 24-game CCC losing streak on Tuesday against Northwest Christian. The Geoducks (2-9, 1-2) have already doubled their win total from last season – but will have to shore up their defense, as opponents’ are converting 46-percent of their field goal attempts, outrebounding Evergreen by six boards a night, and forcing 19 Greener turnovers. The Clams are led by shooters K.J. Hong (11.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg) and Travis Wagner (9.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg), who have hit a combined 40-percent of their three-point tries – with 80-percent of their shots coming outside the arc. It is the 29th meeting between the teams, with the Yotes holding a 20-8 series edge – including four wins in a row.
CONFERENCE STATISTICS: As a team, the Yotes lead the CCC in blocks per game (4.2), steals per game (11.7), and turnover margin (+6.7). The squad is No. 7 in scoring average (68.4), scoring defense (71.2), and rebounds per game (35.5), ranking No. 9 in defensive field goal percentage (.426), three-point percentage (.270), scoring margin (-2.8), field goal percentage (.395), assists per game (13.0), and three-pointers made per game (5.1), and No. 10 in free throw percentage (.614) and rebound margin (-8.7). Individually, both
Ben Van Lith (Eagle, Idaho / Coll. of Southern Idaho) and Miguel Rodriguez are tied for the league lead in steals per game (2.3), with Van Lith No. 5 in rebounds per game (7.5) and No. 6 in blocked shots per game (0.9), with Rodriguez No. 8 in assists per game (3.6) and No. 10 in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.3).
Taylor Pruett (Arroyo Grande, Calif. / Hancock CC) is No. 3 in blocked shots per game (1.3) and No. 7 in both rebounds per game (7.5) and steals per game (1.8),
Zach Peterson (Boise, Idaho / North Idaho Coll.) is No. 3 in free throw percentage (.871), Sydney Donaldson is No. 3 in steal per game (2.0), and Antonio Garrett is No. 8 in blocked shots per game (0.8).
LEAGUE LEADERS: Scoring Average – Adam Herman (CU) 25.1, Michael Russo (NU) 19.9, Michael Greene (NU) 18.7, Eric Thompson (SOU) 17.5, Stephen Harris (WP) 17.2; Rebound Average – Harris 10.9, Herman 10.7, Greene 8.1, Justyn Searle (CU) 7.6, Ben Van Lith (C of I) 7.5; Assists Average – J.D. Esters (EOU) 5.5, Jeff Bush (SOU) 5.1, Andrew Evans (CRB) 4.5, Anthony Holton (CU) 4.4, Jordan Myers (NCU) 3.9.
GAME RECAP – C OF I 79, OREGON TECH 72: Duncan Koga scored all of his career-high 16 points in the second half, helping The C of I pick up their first victory at Oregon Tech since 2005, stopping the defending NAIA Division II national champions, 79-72, at Danny Miles Court. The Coyotes erased an eight-point halftime deficit by connecting on 5-of-7 three-point attempts in the second half, canning 52-percent of their field goal chances after the break. It was C of I's first win on OIT's home court since a 66-62 victory in the 2005 CCC Tournament semifinals - ending a 10-game losing streak. Early on, the Yotes got seven points from Taylor Pruett and five points from Zach Peterson in a 14-4 run over the first five minutes of the contest. The Owls would battle back behind Mihaljo Matic, who connected on 4-of-4 three-point efforts in the opening period, scoring 16 first half points, as OIT led 39-31 at the break. The C of I opened the second half with a flurry, forcing five Tech turnovers in an 18-5 blitz that erased the deficit, taking a 49-44 lead on a Koga three - the first of three-straight triples from the senior. A fourth Koga three-pointer extended the lead to 62-54, with a pair of
Rodney Delgardo (Seattle, Wash. / Spokane CC) free throws giving the Yotes a 12-point lead late in the contest. Sydney Donaldson had 12 of his 16 points in the second half for the Yotes, with Pruett adding 12 points and eight rebounds. Antonio Garrett made 5-of-6 field goal attempts, scoring 10 points off the bench, with Miguel Rodriguez scoring six points, eight assists, and five steals. The Yotes forced 23 OIT turnovers in their third-straight win - their longest win streak since the 2010-11 season. Matic led all scorers with 21 points, with David Clarke adding 13 points and nine rebounds for the Owls, who lost for just the second time in their last 88 home games.
GAME RECAP – SOUTHERN OREGON 100, C OF I 93 (OT): Kyle Tedder scored seven of his 32 points in a 9-0 run in overtime, helping No. 12 ranked Southern Oregon hold off a C of I upset bid, as the Raiders defeated the Yotes, 100-93, inside Bob Riehm Arena. A Ben Van Lith three-pointer midway through the extra session gave the Coyotes an 88-86 lead, but Tedder hit four free throws and his ninth three-pointer of the game in the surge, giving SOU a 95-88 lead inside the final minute. The C of I was their own worst enemy in overtime, making just 2-of-6 free throw attempts and missing a pair of lay-ups. The Raiders, who took over first-place in the CCC with the win, hit 8-of-12 three-point field goals in the opening half, including back-to-back Tedder treys that gave SOU an 18-8 lead. The Yotes would answer, as Rodney Delgardo and Antonio Garrett each had two baskets in a 12-0 run that gave the visitors their first lead of the game at 20-18. Eric Thompson would splash a pair of jump shots and Tedder canned two three's in a period closing 10-0 run to give the hosts a 41-30 lead at the half. Trailing 48-39, the Coyotes cranked up the defense, forcing nine SOU turnovers in a 27-8 run over the next six minutes. Back-to-back three-point plays from Sydney Donaldson and Van Lith gave the Yotes the lead, with two Donaldson free throws giving C of I their largest lead at 66-56. Thompson would rally the Raiders, scoring six-straight points in an 8-0 run to tie the game at 73-73, with a lay-up with one minute remaining giving SOU an 82-80 lead. Van Lith would knot the score up for the 12th time with a short jumper with 41 seconds left, but after a defensive stop, a Garrett runner in the lane at the horn rattled out - sending the game to overtime. Delgardo had 23 points and Garrett had a career-high 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Coyotes. Taylor Pruett scored 19, Donaldson had 15 points, and Van Lith recorded 13 points and five rebounds in the loss. The Yotes hit 69-percent of their shots in the second half - but finished just 3-of-16 from outside the arc. Thompson had 32 points and 13 rebounds for SOU - including five of the Raiders 16 made three-pointers. Taylor Roos and Terriel Thomas each added 10 points, with Southern winning despite 30 turnovers.
ABOUT THE COACH: Rod Jensen is in his third season as head men's basketball coach at The C of I. He came to The C of I after five seasons at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he served as associate head coach for the last four years. His Coyote teams have posted a 29-44 overall record, advancing to back-to-back CCC postseason tournaments. Jensen has earned notoriety as a defensive coach, especially during his 19 years as a coach at Boise State University. From 1983-95, he was the top assistant to head coach, Bobby Dye, helping the Broncos rank among the Top-15 in the NCAA Division I in scoring defense for four-straight seasons, winning Big Sky regular-season championships in 1988 and 1989, along with Big Sky Tournament titles in 1988, 1993, and 1994. BSU teams advanced to the National Invitational Tournament in 1987 and 1991, and the NCAA National Tournament in 1988, 1993, and 1994. In 1995, Jensen became the head coach at Boise State - compiling a 109-93 overall record in seven seasons at the helm - recording the third-most wins in BSU history. During his tenure, the Broncos ranked among the NCAA Top-25 in scoring defense in 1998 and 1999, while winning the 1999 Big West East Division Championship. Jensen headed east in 2002, becoming an assistant coach for Pete Gillen at the University of Virginia, where he helped the Cavaliers to NIT appearances in 2003 and 2004 - leading the Atlantic Coast Conference in defensive field goal percentage. In 2005, he headed south to UNC-Greensboro, working for Mike Dement, where during his tenure, every player who exhausted their eligibility, graduated. A graduate of the University of Redlands in California, Jensen began his coaching career at his alma mater in 1980, serving as an assistant for two years, before spending one season at Penn State. Jensen and his wife, Brenda, have six grown children - daughters Nicole (and Jon Grzeskowiak), Emily (and Drew Hadley), and Kate, and son Tucker.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Coyote men’s basketball program, head to the official homepage of the Yotes -
http://www.yoteathletics.com/index.aspx?path=mbball&tab=0.
