Williston State Powers Past Central Arizona in High-Scoring Battle in Coeur d’Alene
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — Williston State College showcased one of its most balanced and efficient offensive performances of the season on Saturday, surging past Central Arizona College 90–78 in a fast-paced matchup that kept the crowd engaged from start to finish.
The Tetons shot an impressive 46.7% from the field, including 38.5% from three, and put five players in double figures while controlling the glass and tempo against a talented Vaqueras squad.
Berg and Heffernan Lead the Charge
Sophomore guard Jersey Berg delivered a standout performance, pouring in 25 points on 10-of-21 shooting. Berg attacked relentlessly off the dribble and hit timely threes, including a key second-half triple that halted a Central Arizona run.
Forward Leila Heffernan was equally impactful, finishing with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. Her inside-out versatility created matchup problems all afternoon.
Complete Team Effort
Williston's depth and ball movement proved decisive. The Tetons finished with 24 assists on 35 made field goals, swinging the ball crisply against Central Arizona's aggressive perimeter defense.
– Dani Jordan added 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists
– Taylah Murtagh knocked down four threes on her way to 16 points
– Sophie Barker anchored the paint with an 11-rebound double-double (7 points, 11 boards)
Off the bench, Lucia Bellido provided a huge spark, scoring 9 points on 4-of-6 shooting and giving WSC valuable minutes during key stretches.
Central Arizona's Knighton Shines, but Tetons Too Strong
Central Arizona was led by an explosive performance from Tianna Knighton, who scored a game-high 28 points, hitting six threes and keeping the Vaqueras within striking distance.
Reserve guard Ariella Goren was perfect from the field (6-for-6) and added 15 points, giving CAC important bench production.
The Vaqueras shot a respectable 40.3%, but Williston's defensive pressure and rebounding edge (41–36) limited Central Arizona's second-chance opportunities.
Key Turning Point
Midway through the third quarter, Central Arizona cut the lead to four behind back-to-back triples from Knighton. But Williston responded with a 12–2 run fueled by Berg, Murtagh, and Heffernan, pushing the margin back to double digits and reclaiming momentum for good.
A Statement Win in Idaho
The Tetons' blend of efficiency, ball movement, and poise made the difference as they closed out one of their strongest performances of the season.
