LEWISTON, Idaho – The College of Idaho men's basketball team, the No. 2 team in the nation, showcased their dominance in a thrilling 85-69 victory over No. 15 Lewis-Clark State.The win marked the Yotes' seventh consecutive triumph over the Warriors, solidifying their supremacy.
The Yotes wasted no time establishing control, opening the game on an 18-4 tear fueled by an unrelenting defense and a balanced offensive attack. Sophomore Johnny Radford and forward Drew Wyman lit up the scoreboard early with precision shooting from beyond the arc, combining for 16 first-half points. The Yotes shot an impressive 60.7% from the field and drained seven three-pointers in the opening half, building a commanding 49-37 halftime lead.
LC State attempted to claw back with a 9-2 run early in the second half, but the Yotes responded with poise and power. Senior Samaje Morgan orchestrated the offense with six assists and added 18 points, including clutch free throws to quell the Warriors' momentum. Radford led all scorers with 20 points, hitting 4-of-6 from deep and going a perfect 2-for-2 at the line.
The statistical disparity underscored the Yotes' superiority. College of Idaho shot a blistering 55.4% from the floor compared to LC State's 50.9% and hit 40.9% of their threes, outpacing the Warriors' 35.3%. The Yotes also dominated the boards, out-rebounding LC State 35-27, with Straton Rogers pulling down a team-high 11 rebounds to go along with nine points.
Defensively, the Yotes stifled LC State's perimeter game, limiting them to just six three-pointers while forcing eight turnovers. Despite a strong showing from LC State's Taden King (18 points) and MaCarhy Morris (16 points), the Warriors struggled at the free-throw line, converting only 35.7% of their attempts compared to the Yotes' 70.0%.
With the victory, the Yotes improve to 10-1 on the season and remain undefeated in CCC play. They will now enjoy a brief holiday break before returning to action on January 3rd to host Corban University at the J.A. Albertson Activities Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
