SALT LAKE (Interstat) — Ne’quan Brown scored 31 points to lead the North Idaho Cardinal to a 90-80 men’s junior college basketball victory over the Salt Lake Bruin Bears on Wednesday.

North Idaho built a 12-point halftime lead behind a 46-point first quarter and held off a Salt Lake team that attempted 39 free throws, making 32. The Cardinal countered with efficient shooting, hitting 11 3-pointers and 23 of 27 free throws. Nick Jefferson led Salt Lake with 18 points and six assists, while Daye Kaba added 21 points.

The win improved North Idaho to 11-11 overall, while Salt Lake fell to 9-15. The teams split their two regular-season meetings.