EUGENE, Ore. The College of Idaho women's basketball team delivered a gutsy road win Saturday afternoon, taking down Bushnell 61 to 55 in a wire-to-wire battle that showcased how deep the Cascade Collegiate Conference is. The Yotes controlled the game from the opening quarter and answered every Bushnell push to secure their 19th victory of the season and with the win remain one win back from first place in the conference standings.
Kylie Waltermeyer powered The College of Idaho with 14 points and eight rebounds, leading a balanced scoring effort that kept the Yotes in front throughout. Brooke Beresford matched her with 14 points, setting the tone early as the Yotes surged to a 12 to 7 lead after the opening frame. Anna Mooney and Maiya Hardy added 10 points each, giving the Yotes four players in double figures.
C of I held a 25 to 19 lead at halftime thanks to steady defense and clutch free throw shooting. Every time Bushnell threatened, the Yotes responded. Hardy drilled a key three, Waltermeyer attacked the rim with confidence and Mooney continued to add quiet but essential scoring.
Bushnell made its biggest charge in the fourth quarter, trimming the Yotes lead to two behind late buckets from Ayden Krupke. But with the game on the line, Taryn Riley stepped up and buried four crucial free throws in the final seconds. The Yotes closed the contest on a 6 to 2 run to slam the door on the Beacons comeback.
The win moves The College of Idaho to 19 and 7 overall and 13 and 5 in Cascade Conference play, strengthening their position just shy from the top of the CCC.
The Yotes return home for a key matchup against Oregon Tech on February 20th with tipoff set for 5:30 PM inside the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
