Kelly McCarty led the Yotes with 11 points in Montana
DILLON, Mont. - A 15-0 run to close the first half broke the game wide open, as the University of Montana Western spoiled the debut of College of Idaho head coach Rod Jensen, rolling past the Coyotes, 84-47, inside Straugh Gymnasium.
The Coyotes (0-1) were even with the NAIA Division I squad at 8-8 five minutes into the contest and trailed 24-16 after a Krispin Banks lay-up with just under eight minutes remaining in the period. However, Western would force five C of I turnovers and six missed field goal attempts the rest of the half, building a 39-16 lead at the break.
Woeful shooting plagued the Yotes, hitting just 6-of-28 field goal attempts, including all 11 three-point tries, in the first half.
The Bulldogs (3-0), who advanced to the NAIA National Tournament last season, had four players in double figures, including 15 points and six rebounds from Brandon Brown, and ten points and ten boards from Kyle Perry.
Kelly McCarty came off the bench to tally 11 points for the Coyotes, with Krispin Banks adding ten points and five rebounds in 22 minutes of action. The Coyotes were outboarded 43-35 and committed 20 turnovers in the loss – their first in Montana since 1998.
The Yotes will return to action tomorrow afternoon, meeting Carroll College at 5 p.m. The game can be heard live on 1450 KIOV-AM and at www.kiovradio.com.