NIC men fall at Region 18 tournament

TWIN FALLS, Idaho – Kasey Winters made 6 of 7 field goals on his way to a team-high 17 points Wednesday to lead the Snow College Badgers to a 79-68 Region 18 men’s basketball tournament victory over North Idaho College and end the Cardinals’ season.

NIC (13-18) started quickly, scoring the first seven points of the game, including the first five by Darin Nagle.

But Snow scored 15 of the next 17 points to take a 15-9 lead with 12 minutes, 39 seconds left in the first half.

The Badgers (25-6) increased their lead to 38-26 by halftime.

Ben Murdock finished with 16 points after making 10 of 12 free throws for Snow. Brandon Sholly scored 10 of his 15 points in the first half.

Darin Disy scored 17 points and hauled down 10 rebounds for North Idaho. Keelan Donald chipped in with 11 points and five assists, and Nagle finished with 10 points.

The Badgers enjoyed a 43-28 rebounding edge, led by Ian Elseth with nine, and Moses Hawkins and Conner Nielsen with six apiece. Three other players each had five rebounds.

Snow was successful on 29 of 39 free throws. NIC finished 14 of 21.

The Cardinals committed 19 turnovers.