SKC Bison give North Idaho College a scare

North Idaho College needed a late surge to get past SKC for the 80-71 victory on Thursday night in Pablo. However, it was an evening that was about more than basketball as the Bison retired Marvin Hudson-Lewis' number with a ceremony before the game.

Lewis drowned earlier this year in South Dakota after helping lead the Bison to a AIHEC National Championship. Members of Lewis' family from Washington State and South Dakota were able to make the game and were part of the ceremony. 

The Bison took the floor with only four players and Lewis' jersey was put at center court for a ceremonial tip-off. Lewis was listed as an official starter for the Bison and appeared in the final box score for the game. 

SKC came out strong behind excellent three-point shooting and held a 18-14 lead midway through the first half. North Idaho College would go on a 10-0 to gain the lead but the Bison would go away and only trailed 38-31 at the half. 

The battle continued against the Cardinals in the second half and with 9:43 left in the contest, Dennis Sangrey hit a three to pull within four points of NIC at 54-50. The Cardinals would respond with an 8-0 run to take the 62-50 lead. The Bison would continue to fight and Ralston Moore hit two free throws to make it 74-69 NIC with two minutes to go but the Cardinals would finish out the game on a 6-2 run for the victory. 

D.J. Fish continued to showcase his skills, posting a double-double for SKC with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Moore had 19 points as well and Sangrey posted 11. Isiah Martin scored 12 points. The Bison's defense forced 24 NIC turnovers but their shooting was 39 percent from the field to the Cardinals' 53 percent. 

Against a perennial powerhouse in junior college basketball, the Bison played strong with NIC and their tough early-season schedule should get them geared up for Montana Tribal College Athletic Association play. SKC will travel to Dillon this weekend and play the University of Montana JV squad on Friday and Saturday. 

NIC 80, SKC 71

NIC - 38 - 42 - 80

SKC - 31 - 40 - 71

Bison Stats - 

Isaac Wal - 1 rebound

Ralston Moore - 19 points, 1 steal

Dennis Sangrey - 11 points, 2 steals

Sonny Eppinette - 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist

Trent Ashley - 2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist

Isaiah Martin - 12 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 steals

DJ Kemmer - 3 points

DJ Fish - 15 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist

Jonathan Allen - 1 point, 1 assist

James Bible - 6 points, 1 rebound, 3 steals

NIC Stats -

Jordan McCloud - 11 points, 6 rebounds

Antoine Hosley - 7 points, 2 assists

Connor White - 5 points, 1 rebound 

Kwame Bates - 10 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal

Keon Lewis - 21 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists

Michael Middlebrooks - 13 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks

Edrico McGregor - 6 points, 6 rebounds

Tyrell Lewis - 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 1 assist, 1 steal

Kay Sherman - 1 point, 3 rebounds, 3 fouls

Here are photos from the game... click here to buy full prints from the game. 

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