Matt Ballenger had a game-high 22 for the Coyotes
Matt Ballenger scored seven of his game-high 22 points in a 19-3 second half run, as The College of Idaho picked up their first win of the 2010-11 season, defeating Walla Walla University, 64-50, in the opening game of the Quinn Classic in La Grande, Ore.
The win marked the first for new head coach Rod Jensen, his first win since skippering Boise State, from 1995-2002
Leading just 39-36 with 16:37 remaining in the game, the Coyotes (1-2) held WWU to just one made field goal over an eight minute - blowing the game wide open. Back to back Ballenger buckets pushed the margin to 43-36, and after a Wolves (0-1) trey, a pair of three's by Steve Peres, a Krispin Banks lay-up, and a third triple by Ballenger gave the Yotes a 54-39 lead with ten minutes to go.
It wasn't easy for The C of I, as WWU used an 8-0 run in the first half to take control, pushing the margin to 24-16 on a Josh Henderson three. However, the Yotes forced eight turnovers in the final five minutes of the half, closing the period on a 15-2 run, to grab a 33-28 lead at the break.
Ballenger added a team high seven rebounds, six assists, and four steals in the victory, with Peres scoring 11 points - on 4-of-5 shooting from the floor, including three triples. Banks had nine points off the bench, with Miguel Rodriguez, Devan Telken, and Tyler Young each scoring six.
The Wolves got 15 points from Tristan Greenidge and seven points and ten rebounds from Jordan Stimmel, but were plauged by 28 turnovers.
The Yotes return to action tomorrow night, meeting Montana Tech at 5:30 p.m. (PT) - the game can be heard live on 1450 KIOV-AM and online at www.kiovradio.com.