Late Game Heroics Propel Yotes Past Warner Pacific
CALDWELL, Idaho – Jordan O'Byrne scored a team high 20 points, including a game winning three-pointer with two seconds remaining, as the College of Idaho knocked off Warner Pacific, 70-69, inside the packed J.A. Albertson Activities Center.
"The play started with a great pass from Josh Wilson to Jordan on time and on target," said head coach Scott Garson. "When it comes to Jordan, he has ice water in his veins. I had no doubt when he let it go that it was going in. He's a great shooter and he made a great shot."
Led by five of Earl Jones 20 points in the first three minutes of the game, the Knights (12-4, 2-2 CCC) jumped out to a 10-0 lead.
"I think our guys came out a little tight being that we haven't been home in over a month, along with the pressure of back-to-back losses on the road." Garson said.
The second-ranked Yotes (14-3, 3-2) climbed back into the contest late in the first half, trailing at the intermission by four points despite committing 15 turnovers.
WP started the second half much similar to the first, extending their lead to 52-43 with just under 14-minutes left. C of I answered with a 9-1 run – including a key sequence where Joey Nebeker forced a missed 3-on-1 fast break by the Knights, with the Boise State transfer canning a trey on the other end to pull the Yotes within a point. The Coyotes grabbed their first lead of the second half at 57-56 on a Josh Wilson layup with 8:13 left in the game.
The teams would trade the lead six times, with Doug Thomas hitting his fifth three-pointer, long trey in transition with 62 seconds remaining to give the visitors their final lead at 69-67 – part of a 21 point night.
Both teams swapped empty possessions setting up O'Byrne for the game-winning three from the corner. Following a time out, the Knights heaved the inbound pass to half court that was deflected by the Coyotes and C of I ran out the clock.
Demetrius Perkins scored 17 points on 5-of-13 shooting, with Marko Kovacevic recording his fourth double-double of the year, scoring 11 points and pulling down 13 rebounds. Nebeker added his team-leading fifth double-double, notching 10 points and 10 boards.
As a team, the Coyotes committed 26 turnovers; the most in a win since the 2006-07 opener against Montana Western where C of I committed 33. WP took advantage, scoring 49-percent of their points off of the C of I turnovers.
Despite the miscues of their own, the Coyotes forced 16 Knight turnovers including nine steals - as Josh Wilson lead the charge with four steals to go along with nine points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.
With the win, C of I extended their home win streak to 25 games.
"Our crowd was incredible tonight! Without the students being back from break, that was truly the city of Caldwell that was behind us tonight. Crowds like tonight are what make it special to be a part of the College of Idaho program. We truly have the best home court advantage in the NAIA," said Garson.
In the win, Sydney Donaldson became the 19th player in C of I history to join the 1,000 point club.
"I congratulated Sydney after the game on his incredible achievement," Garson said. "I am so proud of the way he has performed in the two years I've been here. His attitude and intensity exemplified everything that is the Coyote basketball program."
The Yotes will be back in action tomorrow night when they take on No.13 ranked Concordia University at 7:30 p.m.