CALDWELL, Idaho – Trailing by 19 entering the fourth quarter, College of Idaho stormed all the way back to force overtime before eventually falling 87-82 to Eastern Oregon in the Cascade Conference opener for both sides on Tuesday.
The comeback effort by the Yotes (5-2, 0-1 CCC) started with a 10-2 run over the first 2:45 of the fourth, capped off with a
Sienna Riggle layup in the paint.
Riggle exploded in the second half against the Mountaineers (3-4, 1-0 CCC), scoring 16 of her career-high 26 points in the final 20 minutes while adding 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. The senior had three blocked shots as well.
Down 70-58 with 4:50 on the clock, C of I rattled off a furious 12-2 run to get within a basket at 72-70 with just over a minute left.
The two teams would trade points over the final 40 seconds of regulation, with a Riggle tip-in off a missed shot from
Jada Reed with eight seconds left forcing overtime.
C of I outscored Eastern 35-16 in the fourth quarter.
In overtime, EOU scored nine of their 11 points at the free throw line to pick up the road win.
Lexi Mitchell played 41 minutes on Tuesday for the Yotes, scoring 20 points with seven rebounds and four assists. Reed had 14 points, seven rebounds and a steal at the point, with
Taryn Riley effective off the bench from the same position, scoring eight points with six assists.
The Yotes finished the game 29-for-66 (44 percent) from the floor. EOU went 31-for-65 (48 percent) overall and 7-for-23 (30 percent) from deep. The two teams combined to make 40 free throws, with C of I hitting 22 and EOU 18.
In the fourth quarter, C of I posted a 70 percent field goal percentage, going 14-for-20 from the floor.
The Best Western Caldwell Inn and Suites Classic returns for its 20th year this Friday and Saturday as the Yotes welcome Eastern Oregon, Rocky Mountain and Simpson to Caldwell. C of I will start action by taking on the Battlin' Bears on Friday at 5 p.m.
