TWIN FALLS, Idaho – The Western Nebraska Community College men's basketball team shot just 32 percent from the field and the No. 20 College of Southern Idaho Golden Eagles captured the 98-69 win Friday in the Coca-Cola Invitational in Twin Falls, Idaho.

                WNCC trailed early in the first 13-6, but made a run to cut the deficit to 13-11 on a 3-pointer by Elijah Burney and a bucket by Toms Linis. CSI followed with a 12-0 run to open up a 25-11 lead and the Cougars couldn't get to single digits the rest of the half, trailing 40-29 at intermission.

                The second half saw CSI go on a 14-3 run to start the half to lead 54-32. WNCC responded and cut the deficit to 15 points at 58-43. That awakened the Golden Eagles as they responded with an 8-0 run to lead 66-43.

                The teams traded buckets after that as the Cougars got to within 17, 77-60 on a Mathiang Maker bucket. CSI came right back with a 9-2 run to lead 86-62 and never looked back.

                WNCC shot 32.5 percent from the field and made just 8-of-26 3-pointers. CSI shot 51 percent from the field and were just 7-29 from beyond the arc. CSI made eight more free throws than WNCC.

                CSI held the rebounding edge at 51-43 and had 10 blocked shots.

                WNCC was led by Elijah Hollins and Elijah Burney each with 15 points. Hollins had three triples and Burney had two. Maker and Kellon Harris each had eight points.

                WNCC, 2-6, will be back in action Saturday when they face Colorado Northwestern Community College at 3 p.m. to wrap up the Coca-Cola Invitationals. CNCC was a 58-47 winner over Northeastern Junior College in the first men's game on the day.

WNCC                29 40 69
CSI                    40 58 – 98
WNCC
Kellon Harris 8, Elijah Hollins 15, Mathiang Maker 8, Elijah Burney 15, Kendrick Preston 7, Reece Randolph 2, Isaiah St. Preux 3, Dorin Nguerna 2, Witold Czerenkiewicz 5, Toms Linis 4.