CALDWELL, Idaho - Closing out 2008 with a New Year's Eve clash with Canyon County rival College of Idaho, the Northwest Nazarene University women's basketball team defeated the Coyotes 81-69 at the J.A. Albertson Activities Center in Caldwell.
 
The final tune-up before beginning conference play next week at Montana State Billings, the win moved the Crusaders to 7-4 overall.  The Coyotes remain at 12-1, having played the game as an exhibition contest.
 
Janee Olds and Lindsay Brady led the Crusaders, with Olds scoring a team-high 20 points and Brady netting 18 points, grabbing seven rebounds and a dishing a game-high six assists. 
 
Olds added five rebounds and four assists to her totals as the Crusaders led by as many as 29 (52-23, 16:20) in the second half, but would have to withstand a furious Coyote rally that pulled the hosts to within 10 at 71-61 with 2:39 to play.  NNU would go five-of-six from the free throw line in the final minute to preserve the lead and pull away for the victory.
 
"We knew this would be a game of runs, as they are capable of scoring points in bunches," commented NNU head coach Kelli Lindley.  "It was a testament to us to withstand their rally in the second half and come away with a big win on the road."
 
Jen Williams and Mallory Whipple also reached double-figures, scoring 12 and 10 points, respectively.  Willliams matched Kristen Hein with a game-high eight rebounds to lead the NNU attack on the glass that out-rebounded the Coyotes 51-35.
 
Nicole Gall led C of I with a game-high 21 points, while Nicole Bruce added 14 and ShaNae Horner chipped in with 11.
 
The Crusaders will travel to Montana State Billings next Wednesday and then on to Central Washington on Saturday as they begin GNAC play.