Nebeker Scores 28 in Road Loss at Northwest

KIRKLAND, Wash. – Big nights from Joey Nebeker and Aitor Zubizarreta were not enough to overcome a season-high 20 turnovers, as the College of Idaho dropped a tough 91-81 decision at Northwest University.

Box Score

A 13-2 run by the Eagles (9-15, 5-9 CCC), fueled by three C of I turnovers, erased a 55-44 Coyote lead midway through the second half.  After seven ties in the next five minutes, 3-pointers by Ben Tucakovic and Dak Shagren staked NU to a 76-71 lead with 4:29 remaining. A Nebeker offense rebound and basket and a Dominique Jordan pulled the Yotes even at 76-76, but Tucakovic splashed a triple and Michael Dupree canned consecutive jumpers to put the game out of reach.
 
Zubizarreta was the offense for the Yotes (13-10, 8-6) in the first half, scoring 14 of his 23 points in first 20 minutes.  The lefty had two baskets in a 9-0 run that built C of I a 16-8 lead, a margin that would grow to 38-29 at the break.
 
Nebeker took over from there, scoring 21 of his 28 points after halftime, including back-to-back 3-pointers that gave C of I their largest lead of the night at 55-44.  Unfortunately, NU scored 19 points in the second half off Coyote turnovers and had 14 second chance points of 12 offensive rebounds.
 
Tucakovic scored 25 points with eight rebounds, Dak Shagren and Tomas Ogbaslassie each scored 17, with Dupree making all seven of his two-point field goal attempts, adding 16.
 
The loss spoiled a solid 51-percent shooting night by the Yotes, the second time this season C of I has eclipsed the 50-percent shooting mark.
 
C of I returns to action tomorrow night, traveling to Evergreen State for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.