Matt Ballenger scored 21 points in Coyote win over NCU
CALDWELL, Idaho - Matt Ballenger scored a game-high 21 points, as The College of Idaho extended their home win streak to seven, knocking off Northwest Christian, 73-56, inside the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
With the win, the Coyotes (12-14, 9-6 CCC) ended a three-game overall losing streak and clinched a berth in the eight-team Cascade Conference Postseason Tournament.
Tied 16-16 with 11:11 left in the opening half, the Yotes limited NCU to just two field goals the rest of the period, with key treys by Ballenger and Steve Peres helping the hosts to the 38-22 halftime lead. The C of I pushed the margin to as many as 24 in the second half before emptying their bench for a majority of the period.
Peres added 13 points and Tyler Young notched ten points and six boards – as all 15 C of I players saw action in the game. The Yotes hit 28-of-48 shots on the night, while outrebounding the visitors, 36-31.
Cameron Marshall led the Beacons (8-20, 2-14) with 16 points, with Brent McKee adding 12 points and seven rebounds.
The C of I meets Corban University tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. in the regular-season home finale – the final home game for a pair of Coyote seniors, Peres and Kelly McCarty.