CALDWELL, Idaho – Mika Penner scored a game-high 16 points, as Westminster College rode a huge final 27 minutes to sweep a season series from the College of Idaho, winning 84-45 in Game 2 of the Best Western Caldwell Inn and Suites Lady Yote Classic.
The Griffins (7-0), ranked No. 4 in the NAIA Division I preseason poll, outscored C of I 56-18 over the final 28 minutes of the game – including a 21-0 run over a 11 minute stretch spanning the two halves – that broke open a close contest.
C of I (1-6) kept the game close early on, as an Aleah Lowber three-pointer capped a 7-0 run that gave the Lady Yotes a 17-16 lead at the first media timeout. After WC reestablished a 28-21 lead on one of four Alli Winters three-pointers, the Yotes got triples from Brittany Wirth and Haylee Burnham to pull within 28-27 with 7:39 left in the period.
The Griffins clamped down defensively, as C of I went 0-for-14 and committed six turnovers during the decisive run, as WC scored the final 11 points of the first half and the first 10 points of the second stanza. Pinner hit back-to-back three's, two of the Griffins 12 made triples on the night.
Amanda Hacking had 12 points and 10 rebounds, with Winters scoring 12 points in the victory. Amy Krommenhoek had 11 points and eight assists, with Tia Pappas scoring 15 points and recording six assists for WC, as the visitors had a 38-18 rebound margin.
Elisha Hensey scored 10 points in the loss for the Lady Yotes, who were limited to four free throw attempts on the night. Lowber, Burnham, and Jamiece Yizar each had six points for C of I.
C of I closes out tournament play tomorrow at 5 p.m., meeting Whitworth, a come-from-behind 63-62 victor over Eastern Oregon in the early game.
