The Coyote versus Crusader rivalry came alive Friday night.

No matter what you call it, you can't take the rivalry out of these games.

While the history is on the men's side with their series dating back to the 1933, the battle between the College of Idaho and Northwest Nazarene women's basketball team also lives up to that rivalry tag, as evidenced Friday night.

Even though the game was an exhibition for both teams, nearly 1,000 fans filled the Johnson Sports Complex, sporting both schools' colors and logos.

Yes, it was homecoming at NNU, adding a few more bodies to the crowd, but the student section was packed and energetic for the Crusaders, and about 75 or so Coyotes hopped on a bus and trekked cross-county to cheer on their team while sporting "Sader Deflater" T-shirts.

"I'm glad we had the great support we did," C of I coach Reagan Rossi said. "I'm glad the kids came out. I wish we would have played a little bit better, but early on that's what these exhibitions are for is to test the waters."

The waters proved to be pretty mucky in this one, as the Yotes started well only to see the Crusaders roll to a 95-58 win.

That gives NNU a 19-4 edge in the series, and three straight, with the last C of I win (70-54 in Caldwell) coming back on Dec. 5, 2006.

Of course, what made the night fun was the rivalry as both schools fans did a great job turning out to support their side. Even the C of I mascot, the Coyotes, showed up. The Yote mascot even got some boos from the NNU students, and run off, when it tried to go courtside to do some cheering for the C of I.

A big deal, as this game provides just a warm-up for NNU and C of I fans, as the men renew their rivalry on Tuesday in Caldwell, the Yotes hosting NNU in the first of a home-and-home season series.

Bright spots for both teams

The Crusaders came into Friday's first exhibition with a big question mark — how to replace four-year starting point guard Mallory Whipple?

Against a Coyote squad that thrives on making senior star point guards look like JV high school players, NNU had no real problem after the opening five minutes breaking the C of I pressure.

Part of the reason? Height, as the Crusaders at times had 5-foot-11 guards passing over the top of the Yotes, whose tallest players are just 6-feet.

Then, shooting guard Janee Olds stepped up, along with freshman Heather Adams from Centennial High.

Olds, asked during the summer by coach Lindley if she could play some point guard for NNU this season, finished with four assists and four steals, and just four turnovers. And she added in her usual points with a game-high 20.

Meanwhile, in her collegiate debut, Adams had three assists and just four turnovers in 22 minutes, while adding in nine points. Impressive numbers for a first test under the fire of the Coyotes.

"(Adams) was very good at the point guard position, was very composed overall," Lindley said.

Also strong for NNU was freshman Katharina Schulte to Buhne. The 6-4 product from Germany, who played on her countries Under-19 national team, scored nine points, grabbed four rebounds and blocked two shots in her collegiate debut.

The first bucket for NNU's new 6-4 post came 6:36 into the night, a 6-foot baseline jumper that gave the Crusaders a 12-11 edge — putting them on top to stay.

On the other bench, Rossi had to be pleased with the start for junior Nicole Gall, who hit 4-of-8 3-pointers early, including one from 28 feet out as the shot clock expired, cutting the Coyote deficit to 33-28 with 3:15 to halftime.

Also impressive was the play of Marquina Gilliam-Hicks off the bench, as the 5-8 junior transfer from Salt Lake Community College had nine points off the bench attacking the basket, and the efforts of senior forward Katie Strunk, who at just 5-7, did a remarkable job filling the shoes of All-American Christon Vander Esch.

While Strunk lacked the double-double numbers of Vander Esch, she still played great with seven points, four rebounds and team highs of four assists and four steals.

As for Vallivue star Katelin Shannon, her first game for the Coyotes was a 3-point, 4-rebound, two assist effort. A good start for a freshman.

And the most notable part of her night wasn't even her fault as a jersey mix-up — she was listed in the scorebook as wearing No. 4 and actually suited up as No. 3 — cost the C of I a technical.

Even better, the chance to play in front of a big and boisterous crowd should benefit both squads, especially the Coyotes who called on two freshman and two transfers.

"I think it got the kids to understand what this can do, what this can breed for us," Rossi said of the experience of playing the C of I style.

She added of the game's atmosphere, "you try and tell your recruits we draw great, we have a great base of fans. ... I think it's good for the kids to understand, this is college basketball and it might be bigger than what they anticipated."

Scary moment

NNU's entire team had to hold their breath for a moment in the second half Friday when Olds went to the floor after a fast-break layup.

Possibly the teams answer at point guard, and certainly a vital part of the Crusaders chances to make a run at the GNAC title and nationals, Olds went down in pain holding her left leg, which already sports a large knee brace.

Potentially a devastating loss in an exhibition game.

Fortunately, after checking on one of her senior stars, coach Lindley was able to walk back to her team bench with a smile as it turn out to be only some cramping in her calf, as Olds later returned to the came for NNU.

One win away

With all the tie-breakers in hand, the College of Idaho volleyball team needs one match win tonight to wrap up a fourth Cascade Conference title — albeit a share of the crown for the second straight year.

Still, with the title comes the responsibility to host the league postseason tournament, and the Yotes simply have been unbeatable at home.

They have to make sure of that, tonight, against Warner Pacific, though. The Knights are just 11-12, and tied for sixth in league (7-10) headed to Caldwell. Not a foe to be overlooked if the C of I has visions of hosting next weekend.

Talk about a disappointment

After going unbeaten in the Cascade Conference last season, and picked as one of the league's favorites, the College of Idaho men's soccer team stumbled to the finish line and with Friday's 2-0 loss to Northwest, find themselves out of the playoff picture all together.

Four straight losses must have coach Brian Smith scratching his head as the C of I could not finish, scoring one goal in those four contests.

Now, they'll finish the season at Evergreen State today knowing that when the clock winds down, this season is finished.

Final note

It's probably slipped no one's attention, but today the 20th-ranked C of I women's soccer team plays for a first-ever berth to nationals.

Kick-off for the Cascade Conference title game against No. 6 Concordia is noon at Simplot Stadium.

A must-win for the Yotes?

Maybe, as the league tried to move this game to Wednesday, the day after the NAIA releases the final Top 25 poll — due out Tuesday, Nov. 10.

If the game had been moved, it would have given both Concordia and the C of I a chance to maintain their top 20 national rankings, improving the odds that the league gets two teams to nationals.

While the Cascade Conference winner gets an automatic berth, there also will be at least seven at-large teams picked for nationals, based on Tuesday's final poll — the team's in the top 25 not winning automatic berths will land those at-large bids, in descending order.

But with the C of I climbing the polls into the top 20, playing the No. 6 ranked team, and playing for the conference crown, it would be a surprise if a loss today drops them out of the Top 25.

So while all C of I fans will be routing for a win, and league title and an automatic berth, I'll go out on a limb and predict the Yotes make nationals, win or lose.