The Bulldogs and the 'Yotes fought in a tough back and forth affair that would come down to the final possession. The Bulldogs gave inspired team effort on both sides of the ball, playing great defense against a tough ?Yote team. Offensively the Bulldogs played well, hitting big shots when they needed them. Brian Neal and Riley King each had 13 points, with King adding eight rebounds, Marcus Payne added 10 points and eight boards.

The Bulldogs trailed at halftime by one point, in a  game saw 13 ties and 12 lead changes with Bulldogs leading for nearly 21 minutes. they built their largest lead of 11 points late in the second half before The Yotes rallied from the 11-point deficit inside the final five minutes, using a 12-0 run to take a 66-65 lead on a Joey Nebeker free throw inside the final minute.  C of I led 69-67 after Emanuel Morgan made the first of two free throw chances with six seconds remaining, but missed the second. Neal rushed the ball up floor, and was quickly double-teamed in the center circle ? squirting a pass to Smalls, who heaved an attempt as the horn sounded ? finding the twine for the win.

The Bulldogs travel to Billings, Mont. on Dec. 3 to take on the Batlin' Bears of Rocky Mountain College. 

(Mike Safford contributed to this report)