CALDWELL, Idaho. – The No. 12 College of Idaho Yotes topped Northwest Christian 91-83 on Saturday night, handing the Beacons their third consecutive conference loss.
 
NCU (4-6, 0-3 CCC) excelled in the areas of play within their control, going 15-17 from the free-throw line in addition to ending with a +4 turnover advantage. The Yotes inside strength proved to be the difference in the game, as they out-rebounded the Beacons 47-37 while scoring 44 points in the paint.
 
Reece Robinson quickly put the Beacons up five to start the game, hitting jumpers on back-to-back possessions. Unfortunately the momentum was short-lived as C of I worked their way back to a tie score at just over six minutes in. The lead would change hands four other times during the opening period, with the Yotes gaining the advantage toward the end of the half and going into the intermission up eight.
 
College of Idaho seemed poised to pull away to begin the second half, extending their lead to 11 at one point. The Beacons had some fight left, however, battling their way back to take the lead with 11 minutes remaining on the clock. Both sides would trade baskets for the next few minutes before the Yotes broke the games' 7th tie to take the lead for good with seven minutes to go, eventually closing out an eight-point victor.
 
Nate Bruneel had a game-high 26 points for C of I (9-4, 3-1), while also grabbing nine rebounds. Talon Pinckney had 20 points and five off the glass, while Aziz Leeks and Gibson Berryhill scored 13 and 12 respectively. Roosevelt Adams notched the games sole double-double with ten points and ten boards.
 
Davonte Cleveland led the Beacons with 21 points, going eight-of-ten from the field including a perfect three-for-three from long-range. Brock Rice scored 18, while Michael Loomis had 15 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Point guard Kenny Blackwell finished with a well-rounded seven points, seven boards and four assists.
 
Northwest Christian has 13 days off before returning to the Morse Event Center on Friday, December 28 in search of their first conference victory. The Beacons will host the Geoducks of Evergreen State College at 7:30 p.m.