North Idaho loses its first game of season in Region 18 title
TWIN FALLS, Idaho – North Idaho College men’s basketball team suffered its first loss of season Saturday night, falling to Salt Lake 86-73 on Saturday in the Region 18 tournament championship game.
As expected, the tension was thick between the Cardinals and Bruins as the Scenic West Athletic Conference rivals met for their fourth time this season.
The Bruins (25-8) jumped to a 10-2 lead. The Cardinals (31-1) kept attacking the rim, but nothing seemed to fall.
NIC’s team captain and scoring threat, Byron (BJ) Blake, got into early foul trouble and had to sit out a big chunk of the first half.
Trey Burch-Manning and the other reserve players entered the game and sparked the Cards. NIC picked up its defense, gathered rebounds on both sides of court and started moving the ball around on offense.
The Cardinals cut the deficit to 26-23 with 5 minutes left in the half and continued to chip at the lead. They entered the locker room with a 38-37 lead at halftime.
The second half started with both teams trading baskets until the 15:11 mark. The Bruins hit four consecutive 3-pointers to stretch their lead 54-67.
The Cards fought back and cut the Bruins’ lead to 71-66 with just less than 6 minutes left.
But that was as close as NIC got and the Bruins cruised to 86-73 victory.
The season may not be over for the Cardinals. Ranked No. 3, the Cards are expected to earn one of the national tournament’s four at-large bids when the voting is held March 7.
“We are just going to go home and pray we get one of those bids,” NIC coach Corey Symons said. “It’s a tough loss, but I wouldn’t want any other guys on my team. They’re a great group of kids and they work their butts off for me and … believe in our system.”
Blake and Burch-Manning were named to the SWAC all-tournament team after the game.
“We told ourselves all season if we ever lose one during this streak, that we’ll stay together, no matter what,” Blake said. “We built a brotherhood and family. As bad as it sounds, I’m glad we lost one before going to nationals, because it just adds fuel to our fire. Be on the lookout for us at national.”
Burch-Manning led the Cards off the bench for the second straight game with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
“Our season isn’t done yet,” Burch-Manning said. “Shout-out to Coeur d’Alene for all their love and support … and the 2015-2016 Cardinals will be national champs.”