Coyotes Stop Oregon Tech, 83-64
CALDWELL, Idaho – The rebirth of the College of Idaho men’s basketball program continued to impress the masses in Canyon County, as Taylor Pruett scored 20 of his game-high 24 points in the first half, leading the Yotes to a dominating 83-64 victory over Oregon Tech in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
The win for the Yotes (11-4, 2-1 CCC) was their largest victory margin against an OIT squad since the 2001-02 season, while winning their sixth-straight game at home, with a game against second-ranked Southern Oregon looming tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m.
“It was a great team effort against a team we have the utmost respect,” said Coyote head coach Scott Garson. “We did a tremendous job taking away their three-point shot and made 50-percent of our field goal chances.”
Trailing by four at the half, the Owls (7-6, 2-1) got a Kyle Waits dunk to open the second stanza – but watched as the Yotes broke the game wide open with a 23-7 run over the eight minutes. Three drives by Josh Wilson resulted in lay-ups, Sydney Donaldson splashed a three, and Pruett capped the rally with a lay-in to give the hosts a 63-45 lead with 12 minutes remaining.
“I am really proud of Taylor Pruett,” said Garson. “He gave us a real, physical presence on the block and got to the foul line 11 times. Josh Wilson and Demetrius Perkins were outstanding down the stretch with their ability to get to the basket. I felt we executed our offense in the second half – penetrating and kicking, and getting the open look.”
C of I never trailed in the game, with OIT closing the gap to 27-26 on a Derek Evans dunk midway through the first half.
It was the largest victory margin by the Yotes over OIT since a 97-77 victory over the Owls during the 2001-02 season. Seven of the last 12 meetings in Caldwell have been decided by five points or less.
Wilson had 17 points and seven rebounds, with Perkins scoring 12 and Donaldson adding eight, with the Yotes holding a 42-40 edge on the glass.
Kyle Waits led the Owls with 22 points and 10 rebounds, with Duncan Schramm coming off the bench to tally 14. Tech was pressured into 21 turnovers and converted just 4-of-24 three-point chances on the night.