Men’s basketball roundup: Cardinals top Bruins in battle for first place

Brayon Blake scored 34 points on 12-of-22 shooting and North Idaho took over sole possession of first place in the Scenic West Athletic Conference with an 87-77 win over Salt Lake Saturday in Coeur d’Alene.

Braian Angola-Rodas added 25 points and eight assists and Kaleb Warner chipped in 17 points and seve rebounds for the Cardinals (20-0, 5-0), who are ranked eighth in the national NJCAA polls.

Both teams shot well in the second half, but North Idaho held on by making 18 of 21 free throws after halftime. Bushmen Ebet led Salt Lake (17-3, 4-1) with 17 points.

The Cardinals play Southern Idaho in Twin Falls next Saturday.

CC Spokane 111, Wenatchee Valley 84: Jacob DeVries scored 24 of his 26 points in the second half and the Sasquatch (15-2, 1-0) routed the Knights (3-11, 0-1) in a Northwest Athletic Conference opener at Spokane Community College.

DeVries made 10 of 14 shots, including 3 of 6 3-pointers. CCS’ Dalton Patchen added 18 points and eight rebounds and Jake Love added 16 points.

The Sasquatch forced 23 turnovers, which led to 28 points. Wenatchee Valley’s Bryan Michaels led all scorers with 29 points.

CCS plays NWAC foe Treasure Valley in Ontario, Oregon, on Friday.