Lady Yotes Hang On, Top Warner Pacific 58-56

1/12/2018 8:33:00 PM

CALDWELL, Idaho – A pair of late baskets from Jocelyn Cook-Cox and two Madison Holly free throws provided the winning margin, as the College of Idaho ended a six-game losing streak with a 58-56 victory over Warner Pacific inside the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
 
The Lady Yotes (2-12, 2-6 CCC) built an 11-point third quarter lead and held off a late rally by the Knights – as Bailey Allen missed a 10-foot runner with two seconds left as WPC fell to 0-6 away from home this season.
 
C of I used a 12-2 run spanning a seven minute stretch between the second and third quarters – holding the Knights (8-10, 5-5) without a made field goal – as back-to-back Keahi Roy 3-pointers gave the hosts a 35-24 lead.  WPC answered with late triples from Darbi Pink and Shasta Lofgren to close the period, cutting the margin to 42-39.
 
The two teams answered basket for basket in the fourth quarter – as the Yotes took a 52-45 lead on an Alyssa Case short runner with 3:41 left – only to have the Knights get two Deepika Kapil free throws and a Grace Prom lay-up to get within 52-49.  Enter Cook-Cox, who converted tough lay-ups on consecutive possessions to keep the visitors at bay. 
 
After Holly gave the Yotes a 58-54 lead with 30 seconds left, WPC countered with two Kendyl Cone free throws and forced C of I into a 5-second call on the ensuing inbounds pass to set up the final play. The Knights isolated Allen at the right angle – but missed the short jumper, with the long rebound allowing the clock to expire.
 
Holly led C of I with 12 points and four steals, with Roy scoring 11 – including 3-of-5 shooting from long range.  Cook-Cox had nine points and 10 rebounds, with Sophia Jackson scoring nine off the bench.  The Yotes held a 43-31 rebound edge and added a season-best 16 steals.
 
Pink led all scorers with 16 points and six rebounds, with Kapil scoring 14 – with the C of I defense limiting the Knights to 35-percent shooting from the field.
 
C of I returns to action tomorrow night, hosting Multnomah University at 5:30 p.m.