Matt Ballenger scored 20 in Coyote loss in Montana
DILLON, Mont. - Sam Catmell broke an overtime tie with a three-pointer with two minutes remaining, as Carroll College hit 6-of-6 free throws in the extra session to defeat The College of Idaho, 72-66, inside Straugh Gymnasium.
Catmell had heroics at the end of regulation for the Saints (2-0), who blew a 12-point lead – having to rally in the final four minutes to force the extra period. With the Yotes leading 61-56 inside the final minute, Catmell was fouled on a made three-point attempt, cutting the margin to two. After missing the freebie, Andy Garland got the offensive rebound and was fouled, converting both free throws to tie the game.
Carroll had a 28-20 lead at the break, pushing the lead to 35-23 on a Chase Godecke jumper with 18 minutes left. However, the Yotes (0-2) fought back, scoring eight straight points, part of a 17-5 run, that tied the score with nine minutes to play. Matt Ballenger would hit a triple with just over three minutes remaining to give The C of I a 57-51 lead, but the Coyotes could not hold on.
Ballenger led the Coyotes with 20 points and five steals, with Krispin Banks logging 12 points and six rebounds. Both Tyler Young and Kelly McCarty each scored 11, while Miguel Rodriguez had a team-high eight assists.
Garland had 21 points and 13 rebounds, including a perfect 15-of-15 shooting from the foul line for Carroll, with Godecke adding 15 points and nine rebounds in the win.
The Coyotes head to La Grande, Ore., next weekend for the Quinn Classic – meeting Walla Walla University on Friday and Montana Tech on Saturday.