CALDWELL, Idaho – The College of Idaho Women's Basketball team opened their Cascade Collegiate Conference campaign with a dramatic showdown against the undefeated Southern Oregon Raiders but fell 65-55 in a gritty battle at the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
The night began with fireworks, as Kylie Waltermeyer drained a buzzer-beating three-pointer to tie the game at 15 after the first quarter, electrifying the home crowd. Waltermeyer would go on to lead the Yotes in scoring with 13 points, connecting on three triples and adding a steal and assist to her stat line.
For Southern Oregon, Morgan Baird dominated the paint with a game-high 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting, while Emma Schmerbach contributed 13 points and 8 rebounds. The Raiders' ability to convert inside was pivotal, outscoring the Yotes 40-26 in points in the paint.
Off the bench, Anna Mooney provided a spark for the Yotes with 11 points and 5 rebounds, including 5-of-6 from the free-throw line. Her hustle plays and defensive efforts were key to keeping the game within reach in the second half.
Despite an inspired performance, the Yotes were outrebounded 40-30, allowing the Raiders to capitalize on second-chance opportunities, Southern Oregon's depth also made a difference, as their bench outscored the Yotes 19-15.
The Yotes struggled with efficiency, shooting just 33.9% from the field compared to Southern Oregon's 43.9%.
The College of Idaho will look to bounce back tomorrow as they host Oregon Tech at 3:00 PM at the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
