FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The College of Idaho women's basketball team delivered another postseason statement Thursday night, powering past Briar Cliff (Iowa) 71-63 in the NAIA First Round to advance to the NAIA Second Round for the second consecutive season.
The Yotes used a balanced attack, dominant rebounding, and stifling defense to control much of the contest inside Saint Francis' gym, building a lead as large as 18 points in the second half before holding off a late Chargers push.
College of Idaho jumped on Briar Cliff early, shooting 50 percent in the opening quarter and taking a 21-16 lead after ten minutes. The momentum continued into the second period as the Yotes caught fire from beyond the arc, knocking down five three pointers in the quarter and shooting 58 percent from the floor to carry a 40-31 advantage into halftime.
The Yotes then delivered their decisive stretch in the third quarter. A quick run pushed the lead to 51-33 midway through the period and eventually to 18 points, the largest margin of the game, as College of Idaho controlled the glass and limited Briar Cliff to difficult shots.
Briar Cliff refused to go quietly. The Chargers trimmed the deficit to five points late in the fourth quarter, but the Yotes steadied themselves down the stretch. Key defensive rebounds and clutch free throws from Kylie Waltermeyer in the final minute sealed the victory and sent College of Idaho into the tournament's second round.
Waltermeyer led the way for the Yotes with a game-high 23 points on 9 of 17 shooting while adding seven rebounds. Brooke Beresford added 12 points and five rebounds, while Riley Beck provided a spark off the bench with eight points and six rebounds. Maiya Hardy controlled the interior with eight rebounds and three assists, and Lainee Houillon contributed six points and a team-high five assists.
As a team, College of Idaho shot 44 percent from the field compared to just 26 percent for Briar Cliff. The Yotes also dominated the glass 49-34, scored 36 points in the paint, and received a major lift from their reserves with a 22-4 advantage in bench scoring.
Briar Cliff was led by Mallie McNair with 24 points, while Kenna Mongan added 15 and Brooklyn Heineman chipped in 14 for the Chargers.
With the win, the Yotes improve to 22-8 and advance to the NAIA Second Round where they will face host and No. 2 seed Saint Francis (Ind.), who defeated Brescia (Ky.) 84-56 in Thursday's opening round game. Tipoff between the Yotes and Cougars is set for tomorrow at 1 p.m. MT (3 p.m. ET) in Fort Wayne.
For the second straight season, the Yotes are moving on in March.
