Matt Ballenger hits jumper in win over Concordia
CALDWELL, Idaho - Rodney Delgardo hit a trio of three-pointers in a 19-3 run to open the game, as The College of Idaho kept their playoff hopes alive with a rousing 80-66 victory over Concordia University, inside the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
The win for the Yotes (10-18, 5-12 CCC) allows the club to have it's own destiny - as a win tomorrow night vs. Warner Pacific would clinch at worst the No. 8 seed in the Cascade Conference Tournament. A loss tomorrow and The C of I still earns the berth with a Northwest Christian loss to Southern Oregon, however, with an NCU win - the two teams would have a coin-flip to determine the final playoff spot, as all tiebreak scenarios would be deadlocked.
Delgardo jumpstarted the Coyotes, hitting back-to-back treys from the top of the key to give the Purple and Gold a 10-1 lead just two minutes into the game. Another Delgardo three and a fast-break basket extended the margin to 19-3, with a Sydney Donaldson baseline jumper giving the Yotes a 36-14 lead - their largest of the night. The Cavaliers (14-14, 6-11) would use a 10-0 run, including two Jourdan Sweeney baskets, to cut the lead to 36-24, but back-to-back Delgardo jumpers regained momentum for the Yotes, as The C of I led 46-29 at the break.
CU would claw back in the game, as a Drew Preuninger three got the visitors within 59-49 with 11:14 remaining, cutting the lead to 67-58 on a Sweeney basket inside of the five minute mark. Matt Ballenger answered on the ensuing possession with a three-pointer to put the game away for the Yotes.
Ballenger led all C of I scorers with 21 ponits, with Delgardo scoring 19, and Donaldson adding 17 points and 10 rebounds - as the Yotes made 55-percent of their field goal attempts. Sweeney led all scorers with 26 points, on 11-of-14 shooting, with Kevan West adding 22 for the Cavs. CU was hampered by 2-of-17 shooting from outside the arc.
Gametime for tomorrow's clash with Warner Pacific is set for 7:30 p.m. It is also the final home game for four senior student-athletes - Jason Brown, Tyler Young, Krispin Banks, and Ballenger.