CALDWELL, Idaho — The College of Idaho pushed unbeaten Eastern Oregon to the brink Tuesday night, but a late surge by the Mountaineers sealed a 58-52 victory in a Cascade Conference thriller inside the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
The Yotes (9-4, 3-2 CCC) clawed back from an 11-point deficit in the third quarter, riding the hot hand of
Anna Mooney, who poured in a game-high 21 points on 8-of-18 shooting, including three triples. Mooney scored nine in the final frame, nearly willing C of I to an upset before Eastern Oregon (13-0, 5-0) held firm in the closing seconds.
Eastern Oregon leaned on its inside presence, outscoring the Yotes 36-16 in the paint and dominating the glass with a 36-34 rebound edge. Kelsie Siegner was the difference-maker, posting a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Kali Kast added 11 points and six boards. The Mountaineers' defense forced 15 turnovers, converting them into 14 points off miscues.
C of I's bench kept the game alive, contributing 21 points, highlighted by
Riley Beck's 11 points and
Mia Austin's eight, including a clutch three-pointer late in the third quarter.
Kylie Waltermeyer anchored the defense with seven rebounds and two blocks, while adding six points.
The Yotes shot a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line and connected on 35.3 percent from deep, but Eastern Oregon's relentless attack and timely buckets proved too much. The Mountaineers closed the game on a 9-3 run after Mooney's triple cut the margin to three with 2:49 remaining.
The College of Idaho returns to action January 2, hosting Warner Pacific at the J.A. Albertson Activities Center. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
