Matt Ballenger scored 38 in Yotes win over William Jessup
CALDWELL, Idaho - Matt Ballenger scored a season-high 38 points as The College of Idaho hung on for a 79-72 victory over William Jessup in the opening game of the Holy Names Thanksgiving Classic in Oakland, Calif.
Ballenger hit a trey with three minutes remaining to give the Yotes (4-4) a 75-68 lead – but the Warriors (2-6) would close within three on a pair of Marqus Crawford free throws with 1:25 left. However, an offensive rebound and bucket by Ben Van Lith provided a spark for The C of I, with Ballenger hitting two late free throws to seal the win.
The C of I used an 11-2 first half run to break open a close game – including five points from Krispin Banks, to take a 45-30 lead at the break. The Yotes would lead by as many as 17 in the second half before WJU began to chip away, closing within 55-46 midway through the period, before the first of two second half three’s from Duncan Koga, pushed the margin back to double-figures.
Ballenger was 14-of-24 from the field in the victory, adding a team-high nine rebounds for the Coyotes. Banks had 11 points, with Rodney Delgardo and Koga each scoring nine – combining for 10 assists, as The C of I hit 31-of-59 field goal attempts.
Crawford led the Warriors with 20 points and seven rebounds, with Kevin Stanley adding 14 rebounds. WJU lost despite a commanding 28-10 edge in free throw attempts.
The C of I returns to action tomorrow afternoon with a 4 p.m. (PT) tip-off against host Holy Names.