TWIN FALLS - The College of Southern Idaho Men's Basketball team used a tenacious press late to run away with the win 84-69 over USU Eastern Saturday in its final regular season Scenic West Athletic Conference game of the year.
The Golden Eagles trailed 38-32 at the half and finally fought back to a 52-52 tie with 8:51 to go in the game. That's when the press proved too much for the Eagles of Price. CSI forced nine turnovers in the next two minutes and 40 seconds to outscore USU Eastern 16-0 and take the 68-52 lead with 6:11 left in the game.
USU Eastern never challenged again.
The Golden Eagles finished with two players in double figures - Darius Alexander and Jake Hendricks each scored 13 points. Alexander added nine rebounds and four assists, while Hendricks had six rebounds and four steals.
Other notable statistics included Deishuan Booker's nine points, four rebounds and seven assists and Roche Grootfaam's nine points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots. Mubarak Muhammed added eight points and eight rebounds.
CSI finished the regular season 24-6 overall and 11-5 in league play. The Golden Eagles open the Region 18 Tournament Friday against Salt Lake at 7:30 p.m. in Salt Lake.