College of Idaho Cruises to First CCC Win
KIRKLAND, Wash. – No. 12 College of Idaho never trailed as they cruised to their first Cascade Conference victory, 80-51, over Northwest University on opening night of league play.
Northwest tied the game 4-4 in the early going, but a lay up by Nicole Gall put C of I into a 6-4 lead they would never relinquish. NU’s Jessalyn Jackson’s layup would bring NU to within 4 points (15-11) at 12:11 to go in the first half, but an 18-3 run by C of I would give them a 34-14 lead with 4:22 left in the half. C of I was relentless in their full court pressure which forced 30 Eagle turnovers for the game and gave C of I a commanding 46-19 half time lead.
College of Idaho would continue to pull away in the second half building a 30 point lead, 52-22, five minutes into the second half. The Coyotes would increase their lead to 61-24 on Marquina Gilliam-Hicks’ jumper at the 7:50 mark as the Yotes would notch their opening night win in Cascade Conference play.
C of I’s (4-3, 1-0 CCC) Nicole Gall led all scorers with a game high 20 points and added 5 steals to her totals. Nicole Bruce contributed 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to score a double-double on the night. C of I grabbed 21 steals and out rebounded the Eagles, 41-23.
Northwest U. (3-4, 0-1 CCC) was led by Jessica Wilkerson’s 17 points. Sophomore Jessalyn Jackson added 11 points.
Northwest U. remains at home Saturday night as they host Eastern Oregon and the College of Idaho heads to Olympia, Wash. to take on the Evergreen State College. Both games are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. tip offs.