CALDWELL, Idaho – College of Idaho matched No. 24 Montana Western step-for-step in a tight 58-54 loss on Friday night in the home opener inside the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
Leading 54-50 with 2:33 remaining after a
Lexi Mitchell second-chance basket, the Yotes (5-1) would see the Bulldogs (4-1) finish strong by tallying the final eight points.
Lilly Gopher had six of the final eight points for Western, finishing with eight points and seven rebounds for the game.
C of I led after each of the first three quarters, including holding a lead of as large as 13 in the third quarter, as a host of players stepped up in a big way against a talented nationally ranked opponent.
Mitchell once again made a major impact for the Yotes, posting a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
In addition to Mitchell,
Sienna Riggle got going in the second half, finishing with nine points, six rebounds and two blocks.
Allie Cannon played 28 minutes off the bench, scoring seven points and grabbing five boards.
Averee Porter hit both 3-pointers that she attempted on the night.
The Yotes won the battle on the glass 36-34, with 18 of those rebounds of the offensive variety.
For the night, C of I shot 21-for-56 (38 percent) from the floor, with the 3-point line serving as the primary source of the offense, going 8-for-21 (38 percent).
Freshman
D'Nia Williams brought good energy to the floor in six minutes off the bench in the first half, connecting on a 3-pointer, dishing out two assists and picking up a steal.
Shainy Mack was the leading scorer for the Bulldogs, tallying 18 points, six rebounds, four steals and two assists.
Friday marked the final tune-up for the Yotes before beginning Cascade Conference play next Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at home against rival Eastern Oregon.
