Eastern Utah Survives Nic Scare

North Idaho College used a trapping zone to claw its way back to within two points with 9 minutes to go, but could get no closer as the Cardinals dropped a Scenic West Athletic Conference game to the College of Eastern Utah, 94-81, Saturday in Price, Utah.

NIC, which trailed by as many as 20 points in the first half, had its comeback thwarted when Rosell Ellis erupted for two consecutive dunks to end the Cardinals’ hopes.

CEU’s Ellis and Bryan Christensen finished with 20 points to lead all scorers.

NIC guards Steve Helm and Eddie Turner each had 18 points.

Teodor Russinov added 15 off the bench.

The Cardinals visit Ricks in Rexburg next Saturday.

Eastern Utah 94, NIC 81 NORTH IDAHO COLLEGE (2-4, 10-8)

Helm 7-10 2-4 18, Thompson 4-13 3-4 11, Turner 5-12 4-4 18, Walker 2-5 0-3 4, Kruiswyk 3-7 0-0 6, Dial 0-1 0-0 0, Russinov 7-13 1-1 15, Palumbis 0-3 1-2 1, Beall 3-6 0-0 8, Snook 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 31-72 11-18 81.

EASTERN UTAH (5-1, 16-2)

Ellis 9-12 2-5 20, Morris 4-6 4-4 12, Christensen 9-12 0-0 20, Pratt 1-4 6-10 8, Washington 2-5 1-3 5, Salim 2-4 0-0 5, Jeffords 1-1 0-0 2, Bendinger 3-6 1-2 8, Buchmiller 0-1 0-0 0, Brown 3-9 1-2 9, Rickenbacker 0-1 3-4 3, Norey 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 35-62 18-30 94.

Halftime - CEU 48, NIC 31. Fouled out - Kruiswyk. Rebounds - NIC 33 (Walker, Kruiswyk each had 7), CEU 47 (Ellis 18). Assists - NIC 13 (Turner 7), CEU 21 (Morris 10). Total fouls - NIC 22, CEU 16. Att - 900.