Yotes Drop Tough Decision at Division II Westminster

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Joey Nebeker scored 23 points and Aitor Zubizarreta added 15 to lead the College of Idaho, but a big second half run lifted Westminster College to a 77-64 win inside Behnken Fieldhouse.

The Griffins (1-0), playing their first game as an NCAA Division II member, used a 13-0 second half run to break open a close game.  Zerrion Payton and Casey Evans each scored 20 for WC, as the home squad hit 48-percent of their field goal attempts.

C of I was in rhythm early, hitting 4-of-5 3-pointers in a 12-4 run to open the game, extending the margin to 18-9 on a Spiros Tarlas put back.  Sparked by an Evans dunk, WC scored the next 14 points in a four minute run to regain the lead and held a 30-26 edge at the break.

An Isaiah Tademy 3-point play in a 9-0 run gave the Griffins a 45-33 lead early in the second half, but watched as Nebeker scored seven points in a run, the last duece on a dunk, to pull C of I within five.  However, both Payton and Evans had four points and WC held the Yotes without a made field goal for a six minute stretch, as the 13-0 run put the game away.

Jordan had 11 points and Marck Coffin adding seven points and seven rebounds in the loss, as C of I made just 8-of-31 3-pointers on the night.  The Yotes forced 17 turnovers, scoring 22 points off the Griffin miscues and added 13 offensive rebounds in the setback.

The Yotes return home Friday to host the Domino's Classic - as Eastern Oregon meet Metro State at 5 p.m., with C of I meeting Montana Tech at 7 p.m.