CALDWELL, Idaho – The Evergreen Geoducks put up a valiant effort but couldn’t slip past the College of Idaho Yotes, falling 81-69 in a Cascade Conference men’s basketball game on Saturday night at the J.A. Albertson Center in Caldwell, Idaho.

College of Idaho got off to a quick start, putting up the first seven points of the game but the Geoducks fought back, using a three-pointer by KJ Hong (Federal Way, Wash./Shoreline CC) to tie the game at 13-13 with 13:34 left to play in the first half.  A jumper off the glass by Elzie Dickens III (Seattle, Wash./Highline CC) gave the Geoducks a 19-18 with 10:56 to go as the teams traded the lead seven more times the rest of the period as College of Idaho took a 39-36 lead into the break.

The Yotes began to pull away as the second half ticked down.  The C of I lead hit double-digits on a breakway dunk by Rodney Delgardo that gave the home squad a 53-42 lead.  The Yotes continued to hit shots but the Geoducks continued to battle, pulling within eight points on a three-pointer by Travis Wagner (Federal Way, Wash./Green River CC) with 3:33 left to play.

The Geoducks continued to pressure the Yotes the rest of the way but College of Idaho picked up the conference win, 81-69.

Evergreen was led by 12 points each from Wagner and Hong.  Marc Taylor (Boise, Idaho/Edmonds CC) put up 11 points and eight rebounds in the return to his home state.  The Geoducks held a 37-33 advantage on the boards.

College of Idaho was led by 21 points from Sydney Donaldson.  Miguel Rodriguez added 19 points while Taylor Pruett earned the double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds.  The Yotes shot 50.8% on the night, making 30-of-59 attempts from the field.

The Geoducks will be back in action next year when they play host to Concordia on Jan. 4.  Tip with the Cavaliers is set for 7:30 p.m. at CRC Gymnasium in Olympia, Wash.

Box Score