Box Score
SALEM, Ore. – Joe Vaz scored 19 points, including a go-ahead three-point play in overtime, as The College of Idaho clinched a berth to the NAIA Division II National Tournament with an 80-75 victory at Corban University.
The Coyotes (23-5, 14-2 CCC) extended their win streak to 10 games with their third overtime victory of the season. The victory clinched an outright Cascade Conference regular-season title and earning the league's automatic bid to the 32-team tournament in Branson, Mo., March 12-18.
Playing without key forwards Taylor Pruett and Ben Van Lith, the Yotes trailed 67-57 with just under five minutes remaining in the game – but Vaz took over. The post converted a three-point play and an inside bucket, part of a 13-0 C of I run that gave the visitors a 70-67 lead inside the final 30 seconds.
Trailing 71-68, the Warriors (6-19, 2-14) had one last chance, with Jordan Carter rushing the length of the court, connecting on a buzzer-beating three-pointer to force overtime.
C of I did not allow a made field goal in the extra session, but a pair of Cyrus Ward free throws with two minutes remaining gave Corban a 75-73 lead. The Coyotes went to their big man, as Vaz scored and completed the three-point play to give C of I the lead for good – as the squad made 4-of-6 free throws down the stretch to seal the victory – closing the contest on a 7-0 run.
Vaz was 8-of-10 from the field and added five rebounds in the victory, as the Yotes won despite making just 36-percent of their field goals. Josh Wilson scored 13 points, including 10-of-14 shooting from the line, with Zach Peterson adding 10 off the bench.
Ward led the Warriors with 21 points and nine rebounds, with Carter adding 17 points and eight rebounds.
The Yotes, who also clinched home court advantage throughout the CCC Tournament, will host Evergreen and Northwest this weekend to close out the regular-season.
