TWIN FALLS, Idaho - The 4th-ranked CSI Men's Basketball team kicked off the annual Battle for the Boot tournament in grand fashion as they rode 50 bench points to an 89-56 win over Western Nebraska Thursday afternoon.
In front of hundreds of screaming elementary school kids, the Golden Eagles gave them a show as they shot 48% from the field, including multiple double figure scoring performances. 50 of the Golden Eagles 89 total points came from their bench as in both halves, it was members of the second unit who sparked the run for Southern Idaho. The Golden Eagles were able to turn 13 Western Nebraska turnovers into 19 points, and dominated the paint, outscoring the Cougars in the paint 48-16 and doubling them in rebounds at 54-27.
Carter Davis led the charge off the bench with 15 points and six rebounds, while DJ Fizer Jr pitched in 14 points off of the bench in his first game action of the season.
Kyah Farris-White was the lone starter to finish in double-figures with 14 while adding seven rebounds.
Cutter Beus and
Guygustone Kasenga each had a game-high nine rebounds, while
Kobe Kesler played the role of facilitator with five assists.
The Golden Eagles will advance in the winners bracket of the Battle for the Boot and will square off with Casper College tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. Casper defeated Clarendon College in the second game today 106-93.
