EUGENE, Ore. –
Lexi Mitchell had a game-tying lay-up rim out at the buzzer, as Bushnell University outlasted The College of Idaho, 54-52, inside the Morse Event Center.
The Yotes (9-6, 3-4 CCC) rallied from a 9-point third quarter deficit with a spirited fourth quarter – as Mitchell scored 6-straight points, including a 3-pointer with four minutes left that pulled the visitors within 51-49.
Allie Cannon followed with a 3-pointer with just over a minute to go to cut the margin to 53-52. C of I had two cracks at taking the lead – but could not convert. Bella Pedrojetti split a pair of free throws with four seconds left to extend the lead for the Beacons (7-6, 4-2) and following a Coyote timeout, C of I got the ball to Mitchell, who drove down the right side of the lane, with her runner missing just strong to end the contest.
C of I locked down BU throughout – holding the hosts 14 points under their season scoring average – but All-American Morgan McKinney was key, as the Beacons guard scored a game-high 18 points and added six steals. McKinney and Aspen Slifka combined for nine points in a 14-2 run to open the third quarter, as BU built a 40-31 lead.
The Yotes started the night quickly, as a 17-4 run spanning the first and second quarters gave C of I a 23-15 lead.
Taryn Riley scored all five of her points in the flurry, helping the Coyotes to a 29-26 halftime edge.
Cannon led the Coyotes with 12 points and six rebounds,
Kaylee Krusemark scored seven of her nine points in the second half, while both Mitchell and
Sienna Riggle each scored eight. Riggle posted her eighth double-digit rebound game of the season, as she and
Emma Anderson each finishing the night with 10 boards.
C of I had a 46-32 rebound edge and held BU to 4-of-18 shooting from 3-point range.
The Yotes game tomorrow vs. Corban has been canceled due to COVID complications within the Warriors program, with C of I earning a forfeit win per Cascade Conference guidelines.
C of I will return to action next weekend with home dates against Multnomah and Warner Pacific.
