Lady Yotes Hand OIT First Loss of Season
CALDWELL, Idaho – Elisha Hensey scored five of her game-high 23 points in a key 13-2 second half run, as The College of Idaho handed No. 14 ranked Oregon Tech their first loss of the season, defeating the Owls, 73-65, inside the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
The victory by the Lady Yotes (5-6, 2-1 CCC) was their 11th in a row against OIT in Caldwell, using a stifling second defense that limited the visitors to 11-of-40 shooting in the period. It is their second-straight league win, heading into tomorrow’s match-up with Southern Oregon.
“It was a good team win,” said C of I head coach Reagan Rossi. “I am extremely proud of the ladies. It was an extremely good defensive effort and we showed composure down the stretch.”
A Kassi Conditt jumper with seven minutes and 27 seconds remaining in the game gave the Owls (14-1, 2-1) a 57-53 lead. The hosts battled back, as Hensey converted a three-point play and an Aleah Lowber free throw gave C of I the lead for good at 60-59. The back-breaker came inside the final two minutes, as Dayna Drager corralled an errant shot as the shot clock expired and converted the lay up to give the hosts a 66-59 lead with one minute, 23 seconds left.
“OIT is a really good team,” said Rossi. “This sets the tone for what we want to accomplish during Cascade Conference play.”
Hensey had eight rebounds and made 10-of-13 free throws in the victory, with Chakala Carthen adding 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Tess Armstrong had 16 points in the loss for OIT, with Conditt scoring 14 points and 16 rebounds – including 11 on the offensive end.