Tip-In Gives Montana-Western OT Win Over College of Idaho
CALDWELL, Idaho - Aaron Sims tipped home a missed three-pointer with one-tenth of a second remaining in overtime, lifting the University of Montana Western to a 90-89 victory over The College of Idaho tonight in Game 2 of the Wendy's Classic in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center. After Josh Owen split a pair of free throws with seven seconds remaining to give the Coyotes (3-8) an 89-88 lead, the Bulldogs rushed the ball up floor, with Gus McDonald launching a three. The ball drew iron, but caromed to Sims, whose tap fell over the front iron and in - ending a ten-game losing streak to The C of I.
Leading 40-28 late in the first half, the Bulldogs (5-7) watched as the Yotes went on a 18-0 run spanning the two halves, and built a 67-55 lead with six minutes remaining. However, The C of I would not convert a field goal over the final 3:37 of regulation, missing two crucial free throws late, as Layne Glaus connected on two freebies with three seconds remaining to send the game to overtime.
Sims led Western with 23 points and 15 rebounds, with Glaus scoring 21 points - including 9-of-11 free throw shooting.
Steffen Spinks had a career-high 24 points, but was just 5-of-10 from the line. J.R. Maggard had his first career double-double, scoring 15 points with 12 rebounds, but made just 3-of-12 freebies. Tucker Long added 14 off the bench.
In the early game tonight, Northwest Nazarene ran out to an early lead and hung on for an 88-77 victory over Westmont College.
The Crusaders (6-0) remained unbeaten on the season, using a 12-0 run in the opening five minutes to build a 12-4 edge - a lead that would grow to as many as 19 points in the first half.
Kendall Gielow had 18 points and seven rebounds for NNU, with Joel Ryman scoring 14 points off the bench, including a pair of crucial three-pointers in the final five minutes.
The Warriors (3-3), from Santa Barbara, Calif., got 15 points and five rebounds from Tyler Dutton.
Tomorrow's pairings have NNU meeting Western at 6 p.m., with The C of I-Westmont game at 8 p.m. To note - all of the gate receipts from tonight's game, along with donations made at the doubleheader, will be donated to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption in support of the Wendy's Wonderful Kids-Idaho. A check presentation will be made at haltime of The C of I-Westmont game tomorrow night.