Undefeated Eagles Host High-Scoring Wranglers in Junior College Showdown

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (Interstat) — A clash of nationally ranked junior college men’s basketball powers is set for Saturday as the unbeaten College of Southern Idaho Eagles host the high-flying Odessa College Wranglers in the Wright Physical Therapy Shootout.

The No. 3-ranked Eagles (6-0), one of the few remaining undefeated teams in NJCAA Division I, will face their toughest test yet against the Wranglers (10-2) at CSI Gymnasium. Southern Idaho has won its games by an average margin of 18.2 points, while Odessa boasts a potent offense that has topped 100 points three times this season.

Southern Idaho is led by guard Cooper Kesler, who is coming off a career-high 26-point performance in a 95-72 rout of Northeastern (Colo.) on Nov. 28. Kesler added four rebounds, three assists and a block in that victory.

Odessa counters with forward Jakeel Registe, a consistent force who posted 16 points and seven rebounds in just 22 minutes during the Wranglers’ 101-80 road win at Colorado Northwestern on Friday. Registe has scored in double figures in four of his last five contests.

The Wranglers, whose only losses are by a combined eight points, are on a four-game winning streak. Their offense was on full display Friday with Registe, Jaiden Reynolds and Ahmere Carson each scoring 16 points.

Southern Idaho’s defense, allowing just 66.3 points per game, will be tasked with slowing Odessa’s up-tempo attack. The Eagles have not played since their Nov. 28 win, providing extra preparation time.

This non-conference matchup features two programs with deep postseason pedigrees. The game is a highlight of the one-day Shootout event in Twin Falls.

For Southern Idaho, it begins a stretch of three road games in four days in Arizona next week. Odessa returns to Texas before opening Western Junior College Athletic Conference play on Jan. 5.