EUGENE, Ore. – The top offensive team in the Cascade Conference and the top defensive team did battle on Friday night. Defense won. The College of Idaho held Northwest Christian University 24-points under their season scoring average and ended a streak of five straight games scoring at least 97 for the Beacons in their 72-66 victory.
 
It didn't start out that way as NCU used an early 13-0 run to take an 18-6 lead with 13 minutes to play. The lead grew to as many as 14 in the first half as the Yotes had a seven minute stretch without a field goal. The No. 8 ranked team in NAIA Division II responded and slowly carved into the deficit, bring it to within one, 30-29 at the intermission.
 
C of I scored the first seven points of the second half and were off to the races, eventually claiming a 14-point lead of their own, 52-38 with 11:29 to play. The Beacons climbed to within six but could not get closer.
 
The College of Idaho (15-5, 9-1 CCC) shot 50% in the game despite a rough 5-for-21 evening beyond the arc. Aziz Leeks used his size to his advantage, scoring 21 points along with seven rebounds and three blocks, all team highs. Talon Pinckney was the other star in the victory, posting 19 points along with four of the Yotes five steals.
 
The Beacons (8-9, 4-6) were led by reigning NAIA Player of the Week Michael Loomis who picked up right where he left off, scoring 24 points including a 3-for-4 night from 3-point range. Loomis and Reece Robinson led all players with eight rebounds each.
 
Freshman guard Tyrus Hosley made the most of his first career start, scoring 17 points and adding four assists. Brock Rice added ten points in the loss.
 
The Yotes, holding a two-game lead in the Cascde Collegiate Conference, will head to Salem on Saturday for their next contest, playing at Corban University. NCU stays home to take on the second-place team in the CCC as Eastern Oregon comes calling. Both games are set to tip-off at 7:30 pm.