NAMPA, Idaho –
Ricardo Time canned five 3-point baskets for a game-high 17 points, but it wasn't enough for The College of Idaho, as Northwest Nazarene closed the game on an 11-4 run, topping the Yotes, 71-64, in Game 2 of the United Heritage Insurance Mayors' Cup Series inside the Johnson Sports Center.
The Coyote senior drained a corner triple with just under four minutes remaining, tying the score at 60-60. However, NNU (3-4) hit 3-of-4 free throws and Gabriel Murphy converted a key put-back basket with 90 seconds left to help the hosts pull away.
Despite playing the game as an exhibition, the Yotes stayed in the contest by connecting on 11-of-25 3-point attempts – including their first four of the night – as a Time trey gave C of I a 12-4 lead.
NNU would battle back, using an 11-0 run to take a 28-23 lead – before baskets from
Paul Wilson and
Charles Elzie started a Coyote rally, with a
Derek Wadsworth 3-pointer just before the final horn gave the visitors a 32-31 lead at the half.
The teams would play to seven ties in the second half, with NNU taking a 48-42 following 3-pointers from Kobe Terashima and Jaylen Fox, but the Yotes responded – taking their final lead of the night at 57-56 after a
Jake O'Neil 3-ball.
O'Neil had nine points, with Wadsworth and
Tyler Robinett each scoring eight in the loss for the Yotes. C of I finished with a 42-36 rebound edge.
George Reidy led the Nighthawks with 19 points, with Murphy scoring 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
The Yotes return to action next Friday afternoon, hosting Walla Walla at 2 p.m.
