MESA, Ariz. - The ninth-ranked College of Southern Idaho Men's Basketball team lost for just the second time all season Friday, falling to South Plains 69-65 in the Fiesta Bowl Shootout.
The Golden Eagles trailed by five with 15 seconds to go but Charles Jones Jr. was fouled on a 3-point shot attempt and knocked down all three free throws. CSI forced a turnover and had a chance to tie or take the lead with eight seconds to play. But Golden Eagle Jake Hendricks missed a 3-point field attempt and then Jones Jr. missed a jumper off an offensive rebound. CSI had to foul and South Plains made both free throws to put the game out of reach.
CSI struggled from the field all night, making just 29 percent of its attempts from the field and 20 percent from beyond the arc.
Jones Jr. led the team with 19 points. Hendricks added 13 points and Danya Kingsby finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Tommy Burton led the Eagles on the boards with 10.
The Golden Eagles, 15-2, play Mesa CC at 6 p.m. Saturday in the third-place game of the tournament before returning home to open Scenic West Athletic Conference play.