Eastern Utah cramps NIC’s style, 77-75
When North Idaho College guard Nick Livi’s calf cramped up at a most inopportune time, the Cardinals held a one-point lead against College of Eastern Utah.
Before he could hobble to the bench, NIC was down by two. When he returned, the deficit was six and a pair of Livi 3-pointers in the final 37 seconds weren’t enough to catch CEU, which held on for a 77-75 Scenic West Athletic Conference men’s basketball victory Friday at Christianson Gym.
“Probably the biggest turning point was when Nick cramped up,” NIC coach Jared Phay said. “Of course it’s a 5-on-4 break the other way and somebody is going to get a good look and he knocked it down.”
He was guard Tyler Kepkay, who entered the game as the leading scorer in junior college basketball at 29.3 points per game. Kepkay, who has orally committed to Utah, had an off night, but he drilled the 3-pointer that gave CEU a 66-64 lead 3:25 left.
NIC (11-6, 3-4) committed three costly turnovers in the next two minutes as the Golden Eagles (12-4, 4-3) moved in front 72-66. CEU made 5 of 6 free throws in the final 47 seconds to offset Livi’s late 3-pointers.
“I felt we played hard and it was a well-played game on both sides,” Phay said, “but we had a few turnovers at the end and they took better care of the basketball.”
Kepkay, hounded by NIC’s Scott Stockwell most of the game, made just two of his first 12 shots, but his 3-pointer, two free throws and soft runner in the lane narrowed NIC’s lead to 58-57.
Kepkay finished with 21 points – his second-lowest total of the season – and fellow guard Jeremy Lathan added 14. All five starters scored at least 10 points as CEU erased NIC’s 48-40 advantage 6 minutes into the second half.
“I’m not a big strategist – our system is pretty simple,” CEU coach Bryan Zollinger said. “I really just challenged the guys to be stronger and tougher and if they wanted to win they had to get some stops, keep them off the boards and manufacture some shots.”
NIC’s offense went dry just as CEU’s heated up. After a Livi 3-pointer with 7:55 remaining, the Cardinals went 5:43 before their next field goal, a dunk by Brian Morris. CEU quickly capitalized on a pair of NIC turnovers to move on top 72-66.
Livi led NIC with 24 points, including six 3-pointers. Stockwell and reserve forward Jamaal Rolle each added 14 points. Morris, one of several Cards in foul trouble, was limited to nine points, half of his average. NIC attempted 29 3-pointers.
“That match-up zone they play is unorthodox and I think we got a little tentative against it,” Phay said. “Against the zone, sometimes you can fall in love with the 3 and we got away from (getting it inside). We need to pound the ball into Brian more.”
The teams meet again tonight at 7:30, following the women’s contest at 5:30.