Sydney Donaldson had 10 points in the Coyote win
CALDWELL, Idaho - Holding overmatched Portland Bible to just 26-percent shooting from the floor, The College of Idaho ended a two-game losing streak with a 75-45 victory in the late game of the 2011 Wendy’s Classic.
Eastern Oregon rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat Montana Tech in Game 1 of the tournament, 93-77.
The Coyotes (2-2) never trailed in the game, as Matt Ballenger scored 10 early points in a 15-3 run over the first four minutes, with the hosts using an 18-4 run late in the period, including a monster dunk from DeAngelo Jackson, to take a 39-18 lead at the break.
Sydney Donaldson and Rodney Delgardo each had a pair of buckets in a 12-3 run to open the second half, as the Yotes led by as many as 31 points in the rout.
Ballenger had 16 points, with Donaldson adding 10 points, and Bryden Benke scoring 10 and recording a game-high nine boards. Ten of the 11 C of I players scored in the game, as the Yotes hit 32-of-64 field goal attempts, but made just 7-of-15 free throws.
The NCCAA Wildcats (2-3) were led by the 19 points and five rebounds of Kahlil Littleton, with Juston Coleman scoring 10.
In the early game, Eastern (4-0) used a 19-4 run early in the second half to erase a halftime deficit to defeat Tech.
The Orediggers (4-1) hit 5-of-9 three-pointers in the opening half, building a 40-35 lead at the break, extending the margin to 46-38 a minute into the second half. Anthony Brown responded for EOU, draining a three, dunking home a deuce, notching a fast-break bucket, and adding a trio of free throws to give the Mounties the lead for good.
Six Eastern players scored in double-figures, led by Brown and Jamar Johnson, who tallied 18 each. Travares Peterson had 17 points and seven boards, while Cody Thurmond, Jeff Ranstrom, and Trent Roos each scored 10.
Tyree Haynie had 13 points for the Diggers, with Daniel Simon scoring 12.
Day 2 of the tournament pits EOU and Portland Bible at 6 p.m., followed by The C of I and Montana Tech at 8 p.m.