By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

CALDWELL, IDAHO -- The College of Idaho built a nine-point halftime lead, then pulled away from Willamette University in the second period, as the Coyotes defeated the Bearcats, 84-53, in the first round of the Lady Yote Classic on Friday, Nov. 28. College of Idaho upped its record to 7-1 on the season, while Willamette dropped to 1-2. The Lady Yotes held a 43-34 advantage at halftime, then limited WU to just 19 points in the second half.

Molly Fillion (Sr., G, Silverton, OR/Silverton HS/Linn-Benton CC) was Willamette's top scorer and rebounder. She netted a total of 19 points and also provided 14 rebounds.

Kaileigh Westermann (Fr., Post, Belfair, WA/South Kitsap HS) added eight points for the 'Cats. Nicki Clowdsley (So., C, Sammamish, WA/Skyline HS) scored six points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

Christon Vander Esch led College of Idaho with 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists and 15 steals. The Lady Yotes earned 33 steals overall and forced WU into 42 turnovers. College of Idaho made 22 turnovers.

College of Idaho scored the game's first five points, but the Bearcats registered the next five points. Willamette took its only lead of the game a bit later, when Fillion sank a jumper and a foul shot for a 13-11 edge at the 14:46 mark of the first half.

The Yotes countered with a 14-0 run to claim a 25-13 lead. Willamette answered with a run of its own, as the Bearcats outscored the home team 14-4 to cut the margin to two points, 29-27. College of Idaho led 37-34 late in the half and scored the final six points of the period to extend the margin to nine points.

A 13-2 run to start the second half built the Yotes' lead to 56-36. WU reduced the difference to 15 points by scoring the next five tallies on a 3-pointer by Dayna Jandoc (Fr, PG, Honolulu, HI/Iolani School) and a pair of free throws from Fillion at the 15:00 mark. The Bearcats were unable to get closer the rest of the way.

Willamette will play Eastern Oregon University in the second round of the Lady Yote Classic on Saturday, Nov. 29. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. (MST)/12 p.m. (PST). Eastern Oregon defeated Linfield College, 79-73, in the first round on Friday.