LA GRANDE, Ore. – Despite forcing 28 turnovers and having four players in double figures, the College of Idaho could not overcome a 21-point third quarter deficit in a 72-64 loss at Eastern Oregon inside Quinn Coliseum.
The No. 17 ranked Mountaineers (7-2, 1-0 CCC) opened up league play with an 18-4 first quarter run – getting nine of Darian Gasseling's game-high 22 points in the surge.
EOU had command through the first three quarters, extending the margin to 57-36 on an Ashley Knight put back – before the Lady Yotes (0-7, 0-1) found their rhythm. C of I forced 13 turnovers in the final 10 minutes, with consecutive
Jaycin Tini baskets cutting the lead to 64-51 and a
Petra Lumpert triple getting the visitors within 70-59.
However, Eastern proved too much, making 7-of-10 shots from the floor in the final quarter to withstand the late run.
Reece Bauer had 15 points for EOU, who had a 42-26 edge on the glass, with Maya Ah You scoring 11 and Payton Parrish finishing with seven points and a team-high 11 rebounds.
Lumpert led the Yotes with 15 points and 10 rebounds, with
Kiara Skinner scoring 12 and both
Madison Pilster scored 10.
The Lady Yotes return to action next Sunday afternoon with a conference road game at Walla Walla.
