Southern Idaho Falls To Indian River State College
Indian River State College, an at-large selection from the South Atlantic District, is starting to raise some eyebrows in Hutchinson. The No. 14 seed coming in, and making their first ever appearance at Hutch, is making some noise, big noise in their NT debut.
The Pioneers are undefeated on Sam Butterfield Court inside the Sports Arena, after posting first and second round victories over Dawson CC (MT), the other first time performer in this years field, and #3 seed College of Southern Idaho. They probably want to play more on the court, and maybe, just maybe, make other appearance…soon.
The Golden Eagles of CSI, the Rocky Mountain District Champions, took an early 5 point lead three minutes after tip-off, but once it was relinquished following Region 8 POY Linton Brown’s trey at the 13:10 mark, the Eagles were never again on the high side of the scoreboard.
At the end of twenty minutes, the Pioneers had built a commanding 53-40 lead, with Brown’s 17 points the main catylist. Abdoulaye Thiam and Antrell Chariton also topped the ten point barrier in the first half, putting in 15 and 12 respectively.
The back half of the contest didn’t improve much for CSI. Indian River protected a double digit lead the rest of the way. Southern Idaho did cut it to 9 on a Tsotne Tsartsidze’s old fashion three point play with 5:20 remaining.
However, Indian River quickly extended the margin and walked away with an impressive 94-82 triumph.
Top honors for IRSC went to Thiam who totaled 23, one better than Brown’s 22. Charton added 19 and was the team’s leading rebounder with 9. AJ Cajuste, finished with 12 points and 8 dimes.
Indian River, now 20-3, and Chipola College (FL) the South Atlantic Champs (both Region 8 competitors), are still alive in the tourney, and will meet Thursday night at 8:00 in the last of four quarterfinals on tap in the Sports Arena.
Southern Idaho had four in double figures led by Maurice Barnett depositing 22. Tsartzidze tossed in 15. Both of those two also had a team high 8 rebounds.