ASHLAND, Ore. –
Joey Nebeker scored a season-high 24 points and
Aitor Zubizarreta logged a double-double, as the College of Idaho earned a key road split with an hard-fought 86-81 win at Southern Oregon.
The Yotes (14-6, 7-3 CCC) never trailed on the afternoon, but saw a 16-point first half lead evaporate, as SOU tied the score at 74-74 on a Tate Hoffman triple with four minutes remaining. Nebeker answered with an elbow jumper and
Emanuel Morgan added two free throws to extend the C of I lead.
The Raiders (12-8, 6-4) would not quit, pulling within 82-81 after two Ben DeSaulnier free throws inside the final 90 seconds. C of I countered, as
Roosevelt Adams tapped home a missed jumper and Zubizarreta grabbed a big offensive rebound and hit two freebies with 22 seconds left to put the game away.
C of I busted out of the gates, scoring the first 13 points of the contest, including two steals and lay-ups from Zubizarreta. The lead would grow to 32-16 after an Adams 3-pointer with six minutes left in the half, before Southern got two treys from Justin Martin in a late 19-6 run to cut the deficit to 38-35 at the break.
Behind 14 second half points from Conor Carroll, SOU closed within a point on four occasions – but Nebeker and
Talon Pinckney were the answers – as the senior scored 15 second half points and the freshman added eight to set up the finish.
Pinckney had 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting, with Zubizarreta scoring 15 points, adding a career-high 12 rebounds and five steals. Adams had 10 points off the bench, with
Aziz Leeks leading the team with 13 rebounds. The Coyotes hit 49-percent of their field goals, including 59-percent in the second half.
Tristen Holmes led SOU with 19 points and nine rebounds, with Carroll scoring 18 in the losing effort.
The Yotes return to action next weekend with a key road swing to Corban and Northwest Christian.
