Box Score
LA GRANDE, Ore. – Nikki Osborne's lay-up off an inbounds pass with two seconds remaining was the game-winner, as No. 13 ranked Eastern Oregon held off College of Idaho, 85-83, inside Quinn Coliseum.
The basket capped a 6-0 run by the Mountaineers (15-4, 7-0 CCC) over the final 90 seconds – running their home court win streak to 31.
The second half was a wild affair, featuring 11 lead changes and five ties. The Lady Yotes (7-8, 4-3) broke a 66-66 deadlock with back-to-back three-pointers from Aleah Lowber and Elisha Hensey – two of 12 made three's on the night by the visitors.
An Erica Martinez driving lay-up with 1:35 remaining gave the Yotes a 83-79 lead, but EOU responded, as Kassy Larson converted a basket, and Brittany Newcomb was fouled on a three with 15 seconds left. The transfer made the first two freebies, but missed the third, however, Larson grabbed the board for the Mounties. A Newcomb runner was swatted out of bounds by Martinez with three seconds left, but off the resulting inbounds pass, a back-pick allowed Osborne to cut to the basket, converting the lay-up. A Hensey half-court three at the horn drew back iron, but missed.
The Lady Yotes controlled the majority of the first half, as Lowber scored seven-straight points in a 10-0 run to give C of I a 22-14 lead, extending the margin to 31-20 on a Martinez triple with seven minutes left in the half. Eastern clawed back, pulling within 39-36 at the break.
Newcomb led all scorers with 33 points, making 6-of-15 three-point attempts. Larson took advantage of a size advantage on the block, scoring 20 points and 16 rebounds, as EOU held a 38-31 rebound edge.
Dayna Drager led the Yotes with 18 points, as C of I lost despite making 55-percent of their field goal tries and 52-percent of their three-point attempts. Lowber had 17 points, Hensey logged 17 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, with Martinez scoring 13. Chakala Carthen had 13 points and five rebounds – but was plagued by foul trouble and fouled out with 12 minutes remaining.
Both C of I and EOU return to action next weekend, hosting Corban and Northwest Christian.
