CALDWELL, Idaho — In a clash defined by contrasting strengths and surging momentum swings, The College of Idaho women's basketball team powered through a tense fourth quarter to defeat Oregon Tech 60-57, securing the program's first season sweep of the Hustlin' Owls since the 2017-18 campaign.
The win also delivered another historic marker: the Yotes' first 20-win regular season since 2008-09. With just one game remaining, The College of Idaho sits a single game behind first place in the Cascade Collegiate Conference standings.
From the opening tip, Friday's matchup played out as a duel between Oregon Tech's interior presence and The College of Idaho's sharpshooting backcourt.
The Owls dominated the glass with a 41–32 rebounding advantage and scored 24 points in the paint, leaning heavily on the relentless efforts of star guard Tatum Schmerbach, who finished with a team-high 20 points, and do-everything playmaker Olivia Sprague, who added 10 points, nine rebounds and disrupted passing lanes all night.
The Yotes countered with long-range firepower. While both teams finished 20-for-57 from the field, the difference came from beyond the arc. The College of Idaho buried 11 three-pointers which nearly quadrupling Oregon Tech's total while shooting an impressive 47.8 percent from deep to offset the Owls' physicality.
Trailing entering the fourth quarter, the Yotes erupted for 20 points in the final period. Kylie Waltermeyer took over the game, scoring 12 of her 23 points in the quarter, including back-to-back momentum-shifting threes that flipped the lead and ignited the crowd.
Taryn Riley added 15 points and delivered crucial plays on both ends, including the final free throw with 11 seconds remaining that pushed the lead to three.
Oregon Tech had a pair of chances to tie in the closing seconds, but the Yotes' defense held firm, forcing a contested look before securing the final rebound.
The victory encapsulated the identity of a Yotes team that has grown tougher and more confident as the season has progressed. The group overcame OIT's rebounding advantage, second-chance opportunities and a standout night from Schmerbach and Sprague to close out one of its most significant wins of the year.
Friday night strengthened The College of Idaho's positioning in the CCC race and delivered a statement that reverberates across the conference as postseason play approaches.
Senior Day Ahead.
The regular season finale tips off Saturday at 3 p.m. MT as the Yotes host Southern Oregon University. Senior Day festivities will take place after the women's game and before the men's game.
