CALDWELL, Idaho –
Nate Bruneel and
Talon Pinckney combined for 31 second half points, as the College of Idaho shook off an extremely slow start to hit 61-percent of their field goal attempts after the break, rallying to stop Corban University, 77-67, inside the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
The No. 5-ranked Coyotes (12-3, 5-0 CCC) won for the sixth-straight time, erasing a 17-point deficit to remain unbeaten in league action.
Bruneel scored 17 of his game-high 22 points in the second half, with Pinckney finishing with 17 points and four assists, making all six of his field goal attempts – including four 3-point baskets.
Corban (8-8, 2-4) had all the momentum in the first 15 minutes – making six early 3-pointers – including four in a 21-5 run that gave the visitors a commanding 32-15 lead with just over five minutes left in the half.
C of I switched from zone to man defense and the change jumpstarted a late 14-4 run – holding the Warriors to just one made field goal the rest of the half, pulling within 38-29 at the break.
Bruneel canned consecutive triples in an 8-0 run the first four minutes of the second half, pulling the hosts within 40-37. Corban extended the margin to 47-40 on a Taylor Anderson 3-ball, only to see the Yotes score the next nine points, capped by a Charles Elzie 3-point play, to give C of I a 49-47 lead with 12 minutes left.
Anderson and Denis Kirichenko connected on 3-pointers to give the visitors their final lead at 58-57, but C of I limited Corban to just one made field goal in a 6-minute stretch – with Pinckney canning a pair of treys and Bruneel throwing down a transition 2-hand slam – part of a 15-5 run that sealed the victory.
Connor Desaulniers had 11 points and six rebounds for the Yotes – including his first career made 3-point basket – with Elzie scoring 11 off the bench. The Yotes had a 43-33 rebound edge – including 18 offensive boards – their sixth-straight game with a double-digit rebound margin.
A.J. Hodges had 13 points to lead Corban, as the Warriors were limited to just 27-percent shooting in the second half. Kirichenko had a double-double in the loss, scoring 11 points with 11 rebounds.
The Coyotes return to action tomorrow night, hosting Northwest Christian at 7:30 p.m.
