CALDWELL, Idaho – October 25, 2024 – In a thrilling season opener, the College of Idaho women's basketball team fell short to Northwest Nazarene University, with a final score of 78-75 in front of an energetic home crowd at the J.A. Albertson Activity Center.
The Yotes showcased strong shooting from beyond the arc, led by Mia Austin, who hit 8 of her 18 three-point attempts, finishing with a sharp 44% from deep and scoring a game-high 28 points. Austin's impressive shooting kept the Yotes competitive, especially during critical stretches.
Throughout the game, fouls became a crucial factor for both teams, with Northwest Nazarene recording 28 fouls and College of Idaho with 20. This frequent foul trouble opened the door for both teams to capitalize on free throws, adding intensity to the tightly contested match-up.
The Yotes secured their largest lead at 18 points midway through the third quarter, showcasing their defensive tenacity and ball movement. However, Northwest Nazarene rallied in the fourth quarter, closing the gap and eventually taking the lead in the final seconds.
College of Idaho will look to bounce back as they continue their non-conference play, fueled by a promising performance and Austin's stellar shooting. They will travel to face Gonzaga University in an exhibition on November 1st. Tipoff is set for 7:00 pm. Mountain Time.
