NAMPA, Idaho – The United Heritage Mayors' Cup rivalry returned to the hardwood Tuesday night as The College of Idaho men's basketball team faced crosstown rival Northwest Nazarene University in the opening game of the annual series. Despite a spectacular 36-point performance from Dougie Peoples and a red-hot shooting effort, the Yotes came up just short, falling 90-86 inside the Johnson Sports Center.

The exhibition matchup delivered another exciting chapter in Idaho's oldest collegiate basketball rivalry, which dates back to the 1933-34 season. The contest featured 12 ties, six lead changes and a second-half comeback that saw College of Idaho erase an 11-point deficit.

Peoples led the charge for the Purple and Gold, pouring in a game-high 36 points on an impressive 15-of-21 shooting performance, including three makes from beyond the arc. His offensive production helped keep the Yotes within striking distance throughout the night.

College of Idaho finished shooting an outstanding 61.8 percent (34-of-55) from the floor and 58.8 percent (10-of-17) from three-point range, but Northwest Nazarene capitalized on its rebounding advantage and opportunities at the free-throw line to claim the first meeting of the series.

The opening half saw the two rivals exchange baskets early before NNU began building momentum midway through the period. The Nighthawks stretched their advantage to 11 points at 33-22 with 7:47 remaining, but Peoples helped spark a response for the Yotes. Peoples scored 20 first-half points, connecting on nine of his 10 field goal attempts, including a pair of three-pointers. Contributions from Kairi Shepherd and Kareem Barnett helped College of Idaho chip away at the deficit, with the Nighthawks carrying a 47-41 advantage into halftime.

The Yotes came out firing in the second half, quickly erasing the deficit behind a series of timely three-pointers. Rey Johnston knocked down back-to-back triples before Shepherd connected from deep, and Peoples followed with a transition layup to bring College of Idaho within one at 55-54. After Peoples tied the game at 57, Jackson Rogers buried a three-pointer to give the Yotes a 60-57 lead with 14:08 remaining. A dunk from Ty Read extended the advantage to five, completing an impressive turnaround for College of Idaho.

The two teams continued trading blows throughout the second half, with neither side able to establish much separation. David Kludt connected from beyond the arc to put the Yotes ahead 67-64, while Peoples and Johnston continued answering NNU baskets. Northwest Nazarene eventually regained control with a late scoring push, turning a 73-71 deficit into a 79-73 advantage with just over five minutes remaining.

Still, the Yotes refused to go away.

Johnston drilled his third three-pointer of the night to trim the deficit to three with 3:26 remaining, and Peoples added another triple with 1:12 left to bring College of Idaho within four. Peoples later converted a three-point play with 40 seconds remaining to cut the Nighthawks' lead to 87-84, but NNU held on through the final possessions.

Behind Peoples' 36-point performance, Johnston finished with 13 points on three three-pointers, while Shepherd added 11 points and a team-high four assists. Barnett contributed seven points off the bench, and Tucker Tiddens pulled down a team-high six rebounds.

Despite College of Idaho's shooting advantage, the difference came on the glass and at the charity stripe. NNU outrebounded the Yotes 37-24, including a 15-1 advantage in offensive rebounds, resulting in 26 second-chance points. The Nighthawks also converted 27 free throws compared to just eight for College of Idaho.

The Yotes outscored NNU 45-43 in the second half and connected on seven of their 10 attempts from beyond the arc after halftime, but the late comeback effort ultimately fell short. As an exhibition contest for College of Idaho, the result does not affect the Yotes' official 3-1 regular-season record.

With the opening game of the 2026 United Heritage Mayors' Cup in the books, the rivalry now shifts to Caldwell, where the Yotes will look to even the series on their home court. College of Idaho will host Northwest Nazarene on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 7:05 p.m. inside the J.A. Albertson Activities Center for Game Two of the Mayor's Cup. Fans are encouraged to wear purple as the Yotes look to defend their home floor and close out another chapter of Idaho's oldest collegiate basketball rivalry.