Box Score
PORTLAND, Ore. – Tyler Velasquez scored 22 points, including five key points in an 8-0 second half run to erase a College of Idaho lead, as Concordia University held off the Coyotes, 95-89, inside Cavalier Court.
The Coyotes (13-5, 4-2 CCC), who had their four-game win streak snapped, took their lone lead of the second half at 70-68 on a Zach Peterson three, but Velasquez answered with a trey of his own. After a C of I miss, Velasquez was intentionally fouled on a breakaway, making both free throws and on the ensuing possession, Esvan Middleton converted a three-point play to give CU a 76-70 lead with four minutes left.
C of I trimmed the lead to 76-74 on a Josh Wilson lay-up and to 88-85 on a Taylor Pruett triple, but the Cavaliers (12-4, 2-3) made 10-of-11 free throws in the final minutes to seal the win.
Middleton, who had 21 points and a school record 20 rebounds for CU, scored four baskets in a 14-3 first half run to give the Cavs a 31-19 lead. C of I would respond, getting a pair of Pruett three's to pull the Yotes even at 39-39.
A Velasquez lay-up early in the second half built the Cavaliers lead back to 51-41, but a 17-7 C of I run, including six Sydney Donaldson points, got the Yotes even.
Adam Herman had 20 points in the victory for CU, pulling him two points shy of the Cavaliers career scoring record. The Cavs made 57-percent of their field goals after halftime and held a 48-40 rebound edge.
Five Coyotes scored in double-figures, led by 23 points and eight rebounds from Pruett. Donaldson and Wilson each had 13, with Ben Van Lith adding 12 off the bench.
C of I concludes their three-game road trip on Friday night, traveling to Eastern Oregon for a 7:30 p.m. (PST) tip.
