LA GRANDE, Ore. – The College of Idaho Women's Basketball team ended a 12-year losing streak in La Grande with a dramatic 69-62 triumph over Eastern Oregon University. The win not only marked the Yotes' first victory at EOU since 2013 but also served as their first Cascade Collegiate Conference win of the season, improving their record to 3-5 (1-2 CCC).
The night began with a tense opening quarter as both teams struggled to find their rhythm offensively. Eastern Oregon (4-4, 0-3 CCC) surged ahead, building an eight-point lead midway through the third quarter (38-30), their largest of the night. The Yotes, however, refused to wilt under the pressure. A ferocious 15-3 run late in the third, sparked by the sharpshooting of Kylie Waltermeyer and the relentless hustle of Brooke Beresford, turned the tide and ignited a rally that the Mountaineers couldn't contain.
In the decisive fourth quarter, the Yotes seized control with stifling defense and clutch free-throw shooting. They held EOU to a meager 31.4% shooting in the second half while dominating the boards and forcing timely turnovers.
Field goal percentages underscored the tale of two halves: The Yotes finished the game shooting an impressive 48.3% from the field compared to EOU's 38.1%. The visitors also excelled in turning defense into offense, scoring 20 points off 14 Mountaineer turnovers, while EOU managed just seven points off turnovers.
Statistical standouts for the Yotes included Waltermeyer, who poured in a team-high 19 points, including two critical three-pointers, and added five assists. Beresford was a force in the paint, matching Waltermeyer's 19 points and grabbing four rebounds. Guard Taryn Riley played a pivotal role down the stretch, finishing with 12 points and going a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Ashton Adamson anchored the defense with a game-high 12 rebounds, consistently limiting EOU's second-chance opportunities.
Eastern Oregon's Brie Holecek led the Mountaineers with 20 points, including three shots from beyond the arc, but her efforts were not enough to fend off the surging Yotes.
With just three seconds remaining, Anna Mooney's dagger three-pointer secured the Yotes' largest lead of the game at seven points, effectively sealing the victory.
The Yotes now set their sights on Walla Walla University, where they'll face off on December 20 at 1:00 p.m. MT in Walla Wall, Ore.
