Box Score
CALDWELL, Idaho – A 21-3 run early in the second half broke open a tight game, as The College of Idaho ended a nine-game playoff losing streak, routing Eastern Oregon, 92-65, in the quarterfinals of the Cascade Conference Championships, presented by U.S. Bank.
The No. 3 ranked Coyotes (26-5) will meet seventh-seeded Oregon Tech on Saturday night in the semifinals – as the Owls upset No. 22 ranked Concordia, 76-61.
Kevin Attila connected on a three-pointer early in the second half to pull the Mountaineers (16-13) within 39-34. The Yotes clamped down defensively, holding EOU to just one field goal over a seven minute period. Josh Wilson connected on three short-range baskets, Joe Vaz added four points, and Demetrius Perkins added a thunderous alley-oop dunk, as C of I built a 60-37 lead with 12 minutes to go.
Zach Peterson took over from there, scoring 10-straight points, including back-to-back three-pointers that gave the Yotes a 74-49 lead.
Early on, it was EOU that sprinted out to a 7-0 lead, but C of I answered with 3's from Taylor Pruett and Sydney Donaldson that gave the Yotes their first lead of the night. The teams played to one tie and five lead changes before C of I built a 36-31 halftime lead.
Pruett led the Yotes with 16 points, including 4-of-7 shooting from outside the arc. Donaldson and Peterson each had 11 points in the victory, with Emanuel Morgan adding a career-high 11 points and three steals. C of I held a commanding 43-26 rebound edge and hit a season-best 26-of-29 free throws.
Attila led Eastern with 21 points, making all six field goals – including all five three-pointers. Tony Eackles Jr. had 15 points and Craig Tucker added 11.
Tickets for the CCC semifinal will go on-sale tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. by calling 459-5223 or 459-5917 or by visiting the C of I Ticket Office in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
