CALDWELL, Idaho – Four players scored in double-figures as the Northwest Christian University women’s basketball team knocked of 20th-Ranked College of Idaho for the first time in school history on Saturday night, 66-65. The Beacons survived a last second layup attempt by the Yotes that rimmed out to secure the upset victory. It was also the first victory for the NCU women’s basketball team against a school ranked in the NAIA’s top-25.
Assistant Coach Glen Norris said, “This was a great game for us across the board. We got contributions from top-to-bottom, and the girls played extremely hard. We outplayed a top-20 team and our girls really deserved to win this one.”
The Beacons held a 33-30 lead at the break and pushed the margin to 41-33 early in the second half on a three-pointer from
Kelsey Bolander as the shot clock expired. The Lady Yotes would respond, taking their first lead of the period on a Nicole Gall trey, part of an 18-5 run to grab a 51-46 edge with nine minutes to go.
NCU fought back, as a
Lori Renner desperation three as the shot clock expired fueled a 11-2 run, giving the Beacons a 57-53 lead with six minutes to go. A put-back bucket by Whitney Owen gave The C of I their final lead at 60-59, before a driving lay-up by
Katie Collins put the Beacons up for good.
The Coyotes had one final chance, as the Beacons turned the ball over with six seconds remaining, as Rubie went coast-to-coast, but her lay-up hung on the back iron and fell off harmlessly – setting off an emotional celebration for the guests.
Four players scored in double-figures for the Beacons (8-10, 2-7 CCC), as Bolander and Renner each had 12 points, with Collins adding 11 and
Jenneca Crocker with ten. NCU won the game at the foul line, converting 10-of-14 freebies in the second half. The Beacons shot 42% from the field while holding their opponents to just 33% shooting, coupled with 21 turnovers.
Gall and Owen each had 17 points in the loss for the Lady Yotes (11-5, 7-2) – as the conference leaders fell back into a first-place tie with Eastern Oregon. The Coyotes could not cash in on 33 free throw attempts, converting just 58-percent from the line.
“It is nice to get some momentum,” said Norris, “before we head into Washington next weekend.”
The Beacons will open up the second half of conference play on Friday night, playing at Evergreen State College before a rematch against Northwest University on Saturday.