CALDWELL, Idaho –
Allie Cannon scored 15 of her career-high 16 points in the first half, as The College of Idaho opened their 2020-21 home schedule with a come-from-behind 58-56 victory over William Jessup inside an empty J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
The Yotes (1-3) trailed 45-40 early in the fourth quarter, but an inside basket from
Kiersten Rasmussen and 3-pointers from
Kate Renfro and
Kaylee Krusemark gave the hosts the lead. The lead grew to 57-53 on the strength of a pair of free throws by both
Cierra Dvorak and Rasmussen.
Katie Campana answered with a trey to pull the Warriors (1-5) within a point – but the Coyote defense held WJU to 0-of-3 shooting and a turnover over their final four possessions – including a missed contested Campana jumper at the buzzer which would have forced overtime.
"It was fun for us to be back in the Activities Center," said C of I head coach
Janis Beal. "It was weird, though, without the YoteFam supporting us."
Jessup started quickly, scoring the first six points of the contest, before Cannon rallied the Yotes. The sophomore scored 10 points in a 14-2 run to give the hosts their first lead, with Rasmussen converting a 3-point play in a 9-0 second quarter run that built a 23-14 lead.
WJU battled back in the third quarter, as back-to-back driving lay-ups by Akilah Watson to close the period helped the Warriors take a 43-40 lead into the final stanza.
Despite shooting just 31-percent from the floor, the Yotes used a 47-40 edge on the glass – including 17 offensive boards – and forced 16 WJU turnovers.
"Our defensive effort was key in the victory," Beal said. "It really jumpstarted our offense. Rebounding was a factor and we made hustle plays down the stretch that extended possessions."
The two teams will close out the weekend tomorrow with a 2 p.m. match-up.
NOTES:
- Freshman Emma Anderson scored 10 points, posting her second double-digit scoring game in her last three outings
- Rasmussen scored all nine of her points in the second half and added five rebounds
- Dvorak led the Yotes with nine rebounds and four assists, adding five points and two steals
- Lexi Mitchell recorded her second-straight game with eight rebounds
- C of I won despite not converting a field goal over the final five minutes, but made five of their final six free throws.
- The victory was the first for the Coyotes against a Golden State Athletic Conference team since a 75-70 win over Fresno Pacific on Nov. 25, 2011
- The win was C of I's first by two points or less since a 58-57 road win at Northwest on Jan. 27, 2017
- The Coyotes won their home opener for the first time since a 65-56 victory over Montana Western in 2013-14
- Paige Winter had 10 points and six rebounds in the loss for WJU, who were limited to just 36-percent shooting from the field and finished 3-of-15 from 3-point range
