Big East Recruit Powers Dixie Past Nic, 93-73

Kevin Simpson of Dixie College showed why he will be a force in the Big East Conference next season with a 38-point effort to lead the Rebels to a 93-73 Scenic West Athletic Conference men’s basketball victory over North Idaho College on Friday night.

The Cardinals couldn’t find an answer for the Providence-bound Simpson, who also collected 13 rebounds. Rebounds were a key in the contest as the Rebels were able to pull down 49 to NIC’s 34.

Dixie was up 44-38 at the end of a back-and-forth first half before pulling away in the second.

The Cardinals were led by 16 points from Troy Thompson. He was the only Cardinal scoring consistently as the team shot only 28 of 75 from the floor.

On the other hand, the Rebels got a pair of 14-point efforts from Eggie Mcrae and Keon Clark to complement Simpson’s big game.

The 6-foot-11 Clark didn’t play in the first matchup between the teams in December that resulted in an 88-72 NIC victory.

NIC will now have to regroup as it faces Snow College tonight in Ephraim, Utah, at 6:30.

Dixie 93, NIC 73

North Idaho College (19-3, 7-3) - Hall 5-9 1-2 12, Helm 1-3 0-0

3, Cunningham 0-1- 0-0 0, Stack 1-1 0-0 2, Thompson 6-14 3-3 16, Rapier 1-5 5-8 7, McCoy 4-12 0-0 10, Byrne 2-6 2-6 6, Barth 0-0 0-0 0, Robertson 1-6 0-0 7, Kruiswyk 3-8 0-2 6, Sanchez 2-10 0-0 5. 28-75 11-21 73.

Dixie College (19-3, 7-3) - Sampson 1-1 0-0 2, Melessa 0-1 0-0 0, Fehoko 0-2 1-2 1, Homer 3-8 0-0 9, Akina 3-5 2-2 8, Mcrae 3-9 8-8 14, Simpson 12-23 14-22 38, Williams 0-1 1-2 1, Clark 6-10 2-2 14, Bailey 0-2 0-0 0, MoisesMicael 3-6 0-1 6. Totals - 31-68 21-39 93.

Halftime - 44-38. 3-pointers - NIC Hall 1-4, Helm 0-1, Cunningham 0-1, Thompson 1-2 McCoy 2-8, Robertson 1-2, Sanchez 1-4, DC (Malessa 0-1, Homer 3-6, Akina 0-2, Mcrae 0-1, Simpson 0-3). Total Fouls NIC 23, DC 14. Fouled out - Clark. Rebounds - NIC 34 (Byrne 8), DC 49 (Simpson 13). Assists NIC 19 (Helm 8), DC 19 (Akina 12).

, DataTimes