CALDWELL, Idaho – A frantic fourth quarter rally came up just short, as Montana Western claimed the title of the Best Western Caldwell Inn and Suites Lady Yote Classic with an 86-81 win over College of Idaho inside the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
The Bulldogs (9-0) built a 21-point third quarter lead, only to watch the hosts erupt for 34 fourth-quarter points – going 5-of-9 from outside the arc and 11-of-12 from the foul line to make things interesting late.
Western led 23-20 after one period, but outscored the Yotes (0-6) 22-9 in the second frame, as Taylor Howlett scored 12 of her team-high 21 points in the quarter. The lead would extend to 58-37 midway through the third quarter after a Howlett free throw and UMW would lead 63-47 heading into the final period.
C of I did not quit, getting three
Kiara Skinner 3-pointers in a 17-7 run that cut the gap to 78-71, while a three-point play from
Madison Pilster and three
Petra Lumpert free throws slicing the margin to 84-79 with 45 seconds remaining. After Western missed two free throws, a Pilster triple from the top of the key, which would have made it a one possession game, rimmed out and the Bulldogs closed out the win from the free throw line.
Skinner led all players with 22 points, establishing a new school record for 3-point percentage in a game by making 6-of-7 attempts. Lumpert filled up the stat sheet with 15 points, a team-high nine rebounds, six assists and four steals.
Alyssa Case had 14 and Pilster scored 12 – as C of I lost despite making 13-of-27 3-point attempts.
Kaye Bignell had 17 points for Western, with point-guard Aniese Palmore scoring 14. The Bulldogs made 52-percent of their field goals and forced 18 turnovers.
C of I returns to action on Saturday, opening conference play at Eastern Oregon.
