CALDWELL, Idaho –
Mackenzie Royce scored all 16 of her points in the second half, as the College of Idaho cut a 34-point third quarter deficit to single digits late – but No. 12-ranked Southern Oregon held off the Lady Yotes, 67-57, inside the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
The Raiders (5-3, 1-1 CCC) dominated the first 25 minutes of the contest – before going stone cold from the field – allowing the hosts to nearly pull off an epic rally.
C of I (1-6, 0-2) trailed 24-16 early in the second quarter – but Southern did not allow a Coyote field goal over the final eight minutes – closing the period on a 19-2 run to lead 43-18 at the break. Five quick points from Kalei Iwami started the run, with Dominique Harding and Daranda Hinkey adding 3-pointers for SOU.
The Raiders started the second half in similar fashion, outscoring the Yotes 11-3 over the first five minutes and led 61-27 with 2:51 remaining in the third quarter. However – a lid fell on SOU's bucket, with the visitors missing 13 of their final 14 shots and committing six turnovers, allowing C of I to rally.
Triples from
Sophia Jackson and Royce closed the quarter to pull the Yotes within 62-37 – starting a string of 18-straight points – the last a Royce 3-pointer to get C of I within 62-49 with four minutes left. After Iwami buried a trey – the lone made field goal for SOU in the fourth quarter – C of I made 5-of-6 free throws and Royce drained a triple to cut the margin to 65-57 with 1:06 left. Unfortunately, the hosts could not get closer.
Madison Holly scored nine points and had seven rebounds in the loss – with the Yotes holding a 50-39 edge on the glass – including 23 offensive rebounds.
Iwami led SOU with 15 points, with Ariel Augustine scoring 12 and Syd Fryer contributing seven points and 10 rebounds. The Raiders forced 23 C of I turnovers which led to 24 points.
The Lady Yotes return to the court next Saturday for a neutral-site game in La Grande, Ore., against Division III Lewis & Clark.
