CALDWELL, Idaho – The College of Idaho defense forced 20 turnovers leading to 26 points, as the No. 10-ranked Coyotes blew past Bushnell University, 96-70, inside the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
The Yotes (20-4, 14-2 CCC) locked down their 27th 20-win season in program history, secured their 25th-straight postseason appearance, while winning their 22nd-straight home Cascade Conference game.
C of I used a 9-0 run to break an 11-11 first half deadlock to take control of the contest.
Jake O'Neil canned a pair of inside baskets and
Derek Wadsworth splashed a triple to cap the rally. The lead would grow to 42-25 at the half, as O'Neil brought the Legacy Night crowd to its feet just before halftime with a follow-up jam off a missed lay-up.
The Coyotes put the physical game away in the second half, making 52-percent of their field goals in recording their highest scoring period of the season (54).
Johnny Radford came off the bench to lead the Coyotes with 16 points, with
Tyler Robinett scoring 11 of his 15 points in the first half. O'Neil posted 15 points and a team-best nine rebounds, with
Ricardo Time scoring 12. Both point-guards had big days – as
Caden Handran finished with a career-high eight assists and
Charles Elzie had seven assists and three steals.
The Beacons (8-15, 6-10) got a game-high 28 points from Stevie Schlabach, with Isaac Girley scoring all 13 of his points in the final five minutes.
C of I made 53-percent of their field goals on the night, held a 35-30 rebound margin, with the Yotes bench outscoring the Bushnell reserves 53-21.
The Coyotes hit the road next weekend for two huge match-ups – Friday at Lewis-Clark State and Saturday at Walla Walla.
