LA GRANDE, Ore. – In a weeknight conference matchup, the No.17 Eastern Oregon University women's basketball team fell to (RV) The College of Idaho, 62–45. Despite the loss, the night marked a milestone for the Mounties, as
Kelsie Siegner scored her 1,000th career point.
Eastern Oregon came out strong in the opening quarter, jumping to an 11–2 lead behind a nine-point run. The Yotes gradually responded with a six-point run of their own, but
Brinley Hagemeier capped the quarter with a three-pointer to keep the Mounties ahead. Momentum shifted in the second quarter, as The College of Idaho went on a 12–0 run to take control of the game. The Yotes shot 62.5% in the period, a sharp contrast to the first quarter, while their defense held Eastern Oregon to just 3-of-14 shooting. All of the Mounties' points in the quarter came from
Maggie Smith. Strong defensive rebounding by the Yotes limited second-chance opportunities, allowing them to carry a six-point lead into halftime.
The second half opened with a back-and-forth battle, as both teams traded baskets and forced turnovers. The Yotes extended their lead to seven early in the third quarter before Siegner cut it to five with her historic basket. However, The College of Idaho responded with a surge, stretching the lead to 12 and later going on another seven-point run. While
Maggie Smith and
Haylee Johnson worked to close the gap, the Yotes capitalized on Mountie fouls, turnovers, and three-point shooting to maintain control.
Entering the fourth quarter down 12, Eastern Oregon looked to spark a comeback with the home crowd behind them. Shooting struggles and relentless Yotes defense proved too much to overcome, as The College of Idaho widened the margin to 17 and secured the win.
While both teams shot at lower overall percentages, the Yotes' bench production, defensive rebounding, and ability to capitalize on Mountie mistakes proved to be the difference.
Maggie Smith led Eastern Oregon with 13 points on 55.6% shooting. Siegner finished with seven points to reach the 1,000-career-point mark, while also recording seven rebounds, two blocks, and a steal.
The College of Idaho's Riley Beck posted a near double-double, leading all scorers with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting, adding nine rebounds and going 4-of-6 from the free-throw line.
With the loss, the Mounties move to 10–3 in conference play, while the Yotes improve to 9–4. Eastern Oregon returns to the road on Thursday, January 29, traveling to Portland to face Warner Pacific University at 5:30 p.m.
