Caldwell, Idaho – The Walla Walla women's basketball traveled to Caldwell, Idaho to take on The College of Idaho for a two-game series over the weekend. The Wolves had a chance at the lead in the waning seconds, but an Anissa Babitu 3-pointers just missed and the Coyotes would ice the game at the free-throw line to take a 52-48 win in game one.
 
THE BASICS: 
 Final:  Walla Walla 48, C o I 52
 Records:  Walla Walla (2-16, 0-9 CCC), C o I (7-12, 5-5 CCC)
 
 GAME NOTES:

• After a back-and-forth first half, the Wolves held a slim four-point lead after the opening quarter. The Wolves had built a seven-point lead midway through the opening quarter, but the Yotes chipped away to trail 18-14 after the opening quarter. The Wolves would go into the break leading 26-23.
• The Yotes took the lead in the opening stages of the second half before the Wolves built their lead back to six points with three-plus minutes remaining. The Yotes answered, ending the quarter on a 6-0 run to force a 36-36 tie entering the final quarter.
• The teams exchanged points for the first six-plus minutes of the fourth quarter before the Yotes found their largest lead of the quarter at three after Emily Harwood went two-for-two from the free-throw line to give the Yotes a 46-43 lead.
• The Wolves would tie it up with less than a minute remaining after Jaliyah Casem free-throws tied the score at 48, but the Yotes immediately answered on a layup by Mackenzie Royce-Radford to give the Yotes back the lead with 38 seconds remaining. The Wolves had a chance to tie it up at the free-throw line, but could not convert, however, Isabella Robles stole the outlet pass to give the Wolves one more chance to tie up the score. The Wolves ran their offense and Anissa Babitu found herself open on the right side of the three-point line, but could not convert and Yotes guard Sophia Jackson went two-for-two from the free-throw line to put the game on ice.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Carolina Montes led the Wolves with 16 points before fouling out with four-plus minutes remaining in the game. Jacqueline Saucedo provided 14 points and nine rebounds off the bench, to go along with three blocks and two steals.
• The 52 points are the lowest the Yotes have scored against any CCC opponent this season and is also the fewest points the Wolves have held the Yotes in their history between each other since 2010.

NEXT GAME: 
The Wolves are back in action on Sunday, January 19 against The College of Idaho for their second matchup. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 pm (MST).