Nic Men Suffer First Loss

It’s a sure bet North Idaho College will win more than its share of men’s basketball games in the Scenic West Athletic Conference before the season concludes.

And it’s a good bet, too, the Cardinals will suffer a few losses like they did Friday night in what should be an ultra-competitive conference.

Utah Valley State College, considered a contender for the SWAC title, handed NIC its first loss, 105-87, in the conference opener.

NIC, 9-1 overall, was well within eyesight of the Wolverines at halftime, trailing 50-43. But UVSC, 7-1, pulled away in the final 20 minutes, enjoying leads equaling its final margin four other times.

Interestingly, both teams placed four players in double-figure scoring. The Wolverines’ foursome outscored NIC’s 76-70.

The Cardinals’ starting guards, Steve Helm and Darnell McCoy, combined for just four points. In fact, Helm, NIC’s point guard, fouled out after playing just 17 minutes.

USVC forwards Scott Benson and Brad Willden were particularly difficult for the Cards to defend. Benson had a team-high 25 points and 10 rebounds and Willden chipped in 23 points and 11 rebounds.

The Wolverines’ starting guards supported the inside attack. Derrick Elliott, a transfer from NIC, had 15 points and five assists, while backcourt mate Brent Hawkins added 13 points and eight assists.

NIC’s Troy Thompson, a 6-foot-4 forward, led with a team-high 30 points and nine rebounds. Quentin Hall had 17 points, Roy Kruiswyk had 12 and Eric Sanchez added 11.

The Cards complete their road trip tonight when they go to Salt Lake, an 82-77 winner over Ricks College.

Utah Valley St. 105, North Idaho 87

NORTH IDAHO

Thompson 13-21 0-1 30, Sanchez 1-6 9-9 11, Kruiswyk 4-8 4-6 12, Helm 1-3 0-0 2, McCoy 1-5 0-0 2, Hall 6-14 4-6 17, Dial 0-0 0-0 0, Cunningham 1-5 0-0 3, Rapier 0-0 0-0 0, Byrne 4-4 0-1 8, Robertson 1-6 0-0 2. Totals 32-72 17-23 87.

UTAH VALLEY STATE

Willden 6-14 9-9 23, Benson 11-18 2-3 25, Michaelis 3-6 0-0 6, Hawkins 4-8 3-6 13, Elliott 4-9 6-6 15, Brotherson 3-4 1-6 7, Lewis 1-2 0-0 2, Hallows 2-3 2-2 6, Hendrix 1-2 0-0 2, Fugal 2-4 2-2 6. Totals 37-70 25-34 105.

Halftime-Utah Valley State 50, North Idaho 43. 3-Point goals- North Idaho 6-20 (Thompson 4-5, Hall 1-4, Cunningham 1-4, Helm 0-1, Robertson 0-1, McCoy 0-2, Sanchez 0-3), Utah Valley State 6-14 (Willden 2-3, Hawkins 2-5, Benson 1-3, Elliott 1-3). Fouled out-Helm. Rebounds-North Idaho 37 (Thompson 9), Utah Valley State 45 (Willden 11). Assists-North Idaho 18 (Hall, Cunningham 4), Utah Valley State 27 (Hawkins 8). Total fouls-North Idaho 26, Utah Valley State 20. A-NA.

, DataTimes