Box Score CALDWELL, Idaho – Aitor Zubizarreta's 3-pointer with one minute to go in the game would be the game winner as the College of Idaho advances in the Cascade Conference Championships, presented by U.S. Bank, with a 75-72 victory over Northwest U.
 
Down 72-70 with 1:32 on the clock, NU's Justice Martion would get to the basket to tie the game at 72-all. Two seconds later, it would be Zubizarreta hitting the big trey to put the Yotes into the lead.  Ben Tucakovic would miss a 3-pointer for the Eagles with 40 seconds remaining and C of I's Joey Nebeker would miss a jumper with 11 seconds to go. Michael Dupree would have one last attempt to tie the game, but his 3-point attempt would miss the mark as the buzzer would sound ending the Eagles' season.
 
Six lead changes would mark a close first half as the teams would take turns in the lead.  With 3:45 to go in the half, NU would take a 28-25 lead on a Dak Shagren free throw. The Yotes would come back with a 5-0 run on two baskets by Roosevelt Adams to lead 30-28, but Ben Tucakovic would tie the game with his jumper at the 3:09 mark. C of I would tie the game at 34-34 with 21 seconds to go, but Justice Martion would give NU a 36-34 halftime lead with his basket with 21 seconds on the clock.
 
The teams would battle back and forth for the entire second half exchanging the lead with players from each team hitting crucial baskets which would deny both teams from making a big run. It would come down to Zubizarreta's 3-pointer in the final minute that would give the Yotes the final lead of the game and a spot in the CCC semifinal.
 
Justice Martion came off the bench to lead the Eagles (19-10) with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Michael Dupree scored 18 points in his final game with senior Ben Tucakovic scoring 12 points and grabbing 8 rebounds for NU show shot an impressive 47 per cent for the game. Dupree finishes his career at NU with 957 points in two years of play. The Eagles managed just 3 for 10 from the 3-point line, but dominated the backboards with a 44-32 rebounding margin with 12 offensive rebounds.
 
The College of Idaho (23-8) was led by Joey Nebeker's 28 points and 8 rebounds, hitting 11 of 22 shots. Aitor Zubizarreta scored 15 points and Aziz Leeks contributed 13 points and 5 rebounds. C of I was 29 for 71 for 41 per cent shooting and hit 8 of 27 from beyond the 3-point arc for 30 per cent.
 
"We've played three games with the College of Idaho and all of them have come down to critical plays and key shots," said John Van Dyke, NU head coach. "We've competed hard in every game and just came up short tonight. Proud of the way our guys fought tonight with a big, hostile crowd. It's a bittersweet ending for our seniors, but they can leave the court tonight knowing they gave it their best."