Coyotes Roll Past Northwest Christian 91-78
CALDWELL, Idaho – A momentum changing technical foul fueled a College of Idaho 20-4 run to close the first half, as the No. 2-ranked Coyotes ran their win streak to eight games, defeating Northwest Christian, 91-78, before 1,710 fans inside the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
The Yotes (20-2, 9-1 CCC) become the second NAIA Division II team to 20 wins this season and extended their home win streak to 14 with the victory – avenging a four-point road loss to the Beacons last month.
NCU (15-5, 7-3) controlled the first 13 minutes of the game – as a Tyrus Hosley 3-point play started a 14-6 run that broke an 8-8 tie. The Beacons took a 30-25 lead with 6:29 left in the half on a corner 3-pointer from Dyshawn Hobson – but the reserve guard was whistled for a technical foul on his way back on defense.
The free throws ignited the Coyotes – as C of I clamped down defensively – forcing three turnovers and nine-straight missed shots by the visitors over the ensuing six minutes. Talon Pinckney started the rally with two free throws, Connor Desaulniers converted consecutive post buckets to give the Yotes their first lead and Keun Palu-Thompson threw down a transition dunk – part of 16-straight C of I points at one stretch – as the Coyotes took a 45-34 lead to the break.
C of I put the game away early in the second half – making four of their first five 3-pointers and eight of their first 10 field goals. A Justin Saunders 3-ball extended the margin to 58-41, with a pretty post basket from Matt Meyers stretching the lead to 79-58 – allowing the Yotes to empty their bench.
Four Coyotes scored in double-figures, as Pinckney led the way with 16 points and six assists. Nate Bruneel had 15 points and seven boards, Palu-Thompson scored 14 and Gibson Berryhill chipped in 10. Desaulniers was a perfect 4-of-4 from the field, scoring eight points with seven boards – as the Yotes made 52-percent of their field goals, their third-straight game making 50-percent or more of their shot attempts.
Davonte Cleveland and Hosley each scored 13 for NCU – as the Beacons fell to 0-4 this season when failing to score 80 points. The visitors made just 8-of-33 3-pointers and were outrebounded 46-35.
The Yotes close out their homestand tomorrow night, hosting Corban at 7:30 p.m.