Utah Valley Cools Down Nic

The weather outside may not have been exactly frightful, but pardon North Idaho College men’s basketball coach Hugh Watson if he didn’t think it was downright chilly indoors.

At least it was for his Cardinals.

Shooting 39 percent from the field, NIC (7-2) dropped an 89-80 Scenic West Athletic Conference decision to Utah Valley on Friday night.

The home team nailed 52 percent of its shots in winning its 11th straight.

NIC, which trailed from the start and was down 36-23 at halftime, battled to within eight points the second half, but couldn’t get closer.

Nathaniel Bailey had 17 points, Nick Irvin 16 and Johnny Goodman 15 to lead five Cardinals in double figures, but they were a combined 17 of 42 from the field.

Newcomer Beau Archibald, a transfer from Washington State, hit 8 of 11 shots and scored 17 points to lead Utah Valley. Silester Rivers, 7 of 11, added 15 points.

Utah Valley 89, North Idaho 80

North Idaho College (7-2) - Fields 4-9 2-2 10, Bailey 7-16 2-4 17, Ryan 5-11 0-1 10, Goodman 6-16 0-1 15, Houston 2-7 0-0 4, Clay 0-1 0-0 0, Irvin 4-10 7-8 16, Watson 2-6 0-0 5, Fisher 1-3 1-2 3. Totals 31-79 12-18 80.

Utah Valley (11-0) - Archibald 8-11 0-0 17, Rivers 7-11 2-3 16, Beard 2-8 2-4 6, Chappell 4-7 2-5 10, Mulford 5-7 0-0 13, Frampton 0-4 3-4 3, Pierce 0-0 2-2 2, Afa 2-3 4-4 8, Lindquist 0-2 4-4 4, Davis 3-3 0-0 6, Pugmire 2-2 0-0 4. Totals - 33-58 19-26 89.

Halftime -Utah Valley 36, North Idaho College 23. 3-point goal - North Idaho 6-28 (Bailey 1-5, Ryan 0-2, Goodman 3-10, Houston 0-1, Clay 0-1, Irvin 1-5, Watson 1-4, Utah Valley 4-7 (Archibald 1-1, Chappell 0-1, Mulford 3-3, Frampton 0-1, Lindquist 0-1). Fouled out - Archibald, Lindquist. Rebounds - North Idaho 38 (Goodman, Fields 8), Utah Valley 42 (Beard 9). Assists - North Idaho 19 (Bailey 6), Utah Valley 22 (Afa 6). Total fouls - North Idaho 21, Utah Valley 19. Technicals - None. A - 2,000.

, DataTimes MEMO: Cut in the Spokane edition.