HELENA, Mont. – The College of Idaho Women's Basketball team displayed tremendous grit and determination against the No. 21-ranked Carroll College Fighting Saints but fell short in a hard-fought 57-43 contest at the PE Center on Saturday afternoon.
The Yotes (2-3) came out strong, opening with a 9-2 run led by Ashton Adamson and Mia Austin, whose early scoring and defensive hustle sparked an impressive start. The Yotes held a slim 16-15 edge after the first quarter, thanks to McKenzie Hirsch's three-point play and a last-second jumper by Kylie Waltermeyer.
However, the second quarter shifted the momentum. Carroll (4-3) answered with a 23-point explosion, spearheaded by Addi Ekstrom's sharpshooting and a commanding inside presence from Willa Albrecht. The Fighting Saints' defense clamped down, holding the Yotes to just 8 points in the quarter and establishing a 14-point lead heading into halftime.
The Yotes fought back in the third quarter, with Lainee Houillon and Anna Mooney combining for two critical three-pointers that trimmed the deficit. The defense stiffened, forcing turnovers and limiting Carroll's scoring opportunities. Still, the Yotes struggled to capitalize, shooting only 13.3% in the third frame.
Despite the Yotes' resilience, Carroll's Albrecht proved too much to handle. She dominated the paint with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Ekstrom added 14 points and 4 assists to seal the victory.
For the Yotes, Hirsch led the charge off the bench with 11 points and 3 rebounds, showcasing her ability to finish at the rim. Waltermeyer contributed 7 points and a key three-pointer, while Adamson pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds to anchor the defense.
The Yotes showed promise on the glass, matching Carroll's physicality with 33 rebounds, but were ultimately undone by shooting struggles, finishing at 26.7% from the field.
The Yotes will look to regroup as they prepare for conference play next week, where they aim to build on their strong defensive identity and sharpen their offensive execution. They will host Southern Oregon on Friday December 6th with tip off scheduled for 5:30 PM at the JA Albertsons Activities Center.
