GREAT FALLS, Mont. -The College of Idaho Yotes women's basketball team left everything on the court, defying expectations and proving their at-large bid was deserving. As a 12-seed, the Yotes made a thrilling push through the national tournament, taking down the fifth-seeded University of Providence Argos before meeting the formidable fourth-seeded Georgetown College (Ky.) Tigers. Though their season ended in a hard-fought 79-70 loss, the Yotes' valiant effort cemented their status as a rising powerhouse.
One night after stunning Providence, the Yotes took the floor with fire in their eyes, hungry for another upset. Sophomore guard Anna Mooney put on a shooting clinic, draining five three-pointers on her way to a 21-point performance. Fellow sharpshooter Brooke Beresford was a force inside and out, racking up 18 points and pulling down nine rebounds, while senior guard Taryn Riley distributed six assists, orchestrating the offense with poise.
Georgetown's early surge tested the Yotes' resilience, as the Tigers built a commanding lead in the first half. The Yotes struggled in the first quarter only shoot 19% from the field while the Tigers shot a blistering 47.4% to set the pace. But College of Idaho responded with their signature grit, storming back in the final quarter. A flurry of three-pointers, including back-to-back deep shots from Mooney, cut the deficit to single digits with just minutes to play. The Yotes outscored Georgetown 30-22 in the final frame, showcasing their never-say-die mentality until the final buzzer.
While the loss stings, the Yotes walk away with heads high, finishing the season with an 18-13 record and a second-round appearance in the national tournament—an accomplishment that sets the foundation for the program's bright future.
With a core of young talent and a battle-tested roster, the Yotes are primed to build on this success. If this season was any indication, College of Idaho Women's Basketball is a program on the rise.
