CALDWELL, Idaho — The College of Idaho Yotes secured the Mayor's Cup in emphatic fashion on Tuesday night, defeating cross-town rival Northwest Nazarene 76-44 at J.A. Albertson Activities Center. The victory not only avenged a previous overtime loss to the Nighthawks but also pushed the Yotes to a 5-1 record this season, dropping NNU to 4-2. It was also the biggest matchup victory margin in the last ten years.
The Yotes established control early, taking a 35-24 lead into halftime. They extended their dominance in the second half, outscoring the Nighthawks 41-20 while limiting them to just 17.4% shooting from the field after the break.
Johnny Radford led the charge for College of Idaho with 18 points on 6-for-10 shooting, including three three-pointers. Samaje Morgan contributed 15 points, two assists, and two steals, while Tyler Robinett showcased a well-rounded game with 11 points, six rebounds, and five blocks.
Off the bench, Caden Handran added 11 points, and Straton Rogers dominated the glass with a game-high 15 rebounds. The Yotes shot 44.1% from the field and an impressive 42.9% from beyond the arc while holding NNU to 28% shooting overall and just 16.7% from three-point range.
Ryzin Bergersen was the lone Nighthawk in double figures with 11 points, but he struggled in the second half, going 0-for-4 from the field. Kye Dickson contributed nine points, largely at the free-throw line, but NNU couldn't overcome their shooting woes and a stifling Yotes defense that forced 10 turnovers and blocked nine shots.
College of Idaho dominated the boards, outrebounding NNU 44-24, and their largest lead of the night came in the final moments, capping a statement victory in front of a lively crowd of 1,882.
The Yotes will look to carry their momentum into the next game, while NNU aims to bounce back from consecutive losses.
