CALDWELL, Idaho. – The Bushnell University women's basketball team defeated the College of Idaho, 78-75 on Saturday afternoon, giving up a 21-point third-quarter lead before holding off the Yotes at the free throw line in a Cascade Collegiate Conference game that came down to the closing seconds.
 
The College of Idaho (13-13, 8-12 CCC) erased a 50-34 halftime deficit, tying the game at 59-59 three minutes into the fourth quarter. The Beacons (17-8, 14-6) led by as many as 21 points (55-34) in the third before the Yotes used a 25-4 run to tie it up early in the fourth.
 
Head Coach Chad Meadors said, "What a win and what a first half. We had some momentum, and I don't know if we could have played much better offensively in that half. Kay Kay, Mandy and Shawnie gave us a huge lift and then in the second half shots stop falling a little bit. We made some great plays; Libby's block, Aly's free throws, Aspen carrying us all night long, Bella's huge three at the end. The list goes on and on."
 
Kenadee French tossed up an off-balanced three-pointer that somehow made its way into the basket to give the Yotes the 73-71 lead with 01:46 to go in regulation. The Beacons immediately answered with a three by Bella Pedrojetti to take back the lead.
 
A jumper by Sienna Riggle made it a 75-74 Yotes' advantage but Aly Mirabile was fouled the following possession, making both free throws to put the Beacon lead at 76-75 with 17 seconds on the clock.
 
Libby Mathis blocked a potential game-winning layup and Pedrojetti was fouled after grabbing the rebound before making both free throws to give the Beacons a 78-75 advantage with 3.5 seconds to go. Kaylen Kamelamela deflected an inbound pass to force a turnover and the Yotes were unable to get off a final shot attempt.
 
Aspen Slifka led all scorers with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Pedrojetti finished with 13 points, while Mathis posted a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double.
 
Bushnell shot 51.7% from the field, including 8-of-21 (38.1%) from beyond the arc, and made 8-of-11 free throws. C of I shot 47.2% from the floor, 9-of-22 (40.9%) from three, and 16-of-23 from the free throw line.
 
The College of Idaho was led by Riggle, who finished with 17 points and eight rebounds. Five Yotes finished in double figures, including French (15 points), Lexi Mitchell (13), Jada Reed (11) and Riley Frith (11). Mitchell added nine rebounds.
 
The Yotes finished with a 31-30 edge in rebounding, while the Beacons led 28-8 in points off the bench. Bushnell committed 20 turnovers, while C of I had 19.
 
"Coming off a tough loss, it shows the resolve of our team and I love how we found a way to get a split on our two toughest back-to-back road trips of the year," said Meadors. "Now we get to finish the season at home with the destiny in our hands."
 
Up next, Bushnell hosts Oregon Tech (Feb. 17) and Southern Oregon (Feb. 18) with the hopes of earning themselves the four-seed entering the CCC Tournament.