TWIN FALLS, Idaho (Interstat) — In a high-stakes men’s junior college basketball clash between two of the nation’s top teams, the College of Southern Idaho Eagles used a dominant second half to erase a halftime deficit and defeat the Snow College Badgers 71-66 on Saturday.

The game, played before a raucous home crowd, lived up to its billing as a matchup of titans. Snow entered with a record of 27-3, while Southern Idaho improved to 24-2. The victory also allowed the Eagles to split the regular-season series after Snow won the previous meeting on Jan. 31.

The most important part of the game was Southern Idaho’s remarkable second-half defensive adjustment and offensive execution. After trailing 33-29 at halftime, the Eagles outscored the Badgers 42-33 over the final 20 minutes. Snow’s offensive struggles, particularly from beyond the arc, proved fatal. The Badgers shot a frigid 2 for 19 from three-point range for the game, a 10.5% clip that stifled their ability to keep pace as Southern Idaho surged.

Southern Idaho’s turnaround was fueled by efficiency and composure. Despite both teams having 76 possessions, the Eagles posted an offensive rating of 93.5 to Snow’s 86.5. A massive disparity at the free-throw line was decisive. Southern Idaho capitalized on its opportunities, making 18 of 21 attempts. Snow, meanwhile, attempted only nine free throws, making six. The Eagles also committed just 12 fouls to Snow’s 21, controlling the game’s physicality in the second half.

Nathan Ahner was the top star for Southern Idaho, leading all players with a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds. He was instrumental in the second-half rally, attacking the basket and drawing fouls. Ace Reiser also scored 17 points for the Eagles, while Jalen Lyn added 16. The Eagles’ starting backcourt of Reiser and Lyn played 40 and 36 minutes, respectively, providing steady leadership.

Snow was led by Sean Felts, who scored 15 points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked three shots. Max Toombs added nine points and seven rebounds. The Badgers won the rebounding battle 43-43 overall and grabbed 13 offensive boards to Southern Idaho’s nine, but they could not overcome their poor shooting night, finishing 29 of 73 from the field.

The game began at a frantic pace with both teams forcing turnovers. Southern Idaho’s Ben Thornbrue hit an early three-pointer, but Snow’s Sam Sivulich answered with a layup to establish an early back-and-forth rhythm. The first half featured eight ties and six lead changes, with Snow building its narrow halftime lead behind activity in the paint.

The Eagles seized control early in the second half with a 13-2 run, turning a 35-35 tie into a 48-37 lead with 10:39 remaining. The run was highlighted by transition baskets and forced Snow into rushed shots. The Badgers fought back, cutting the deficit to 63-61 with just over two minutes left after a layup by Toombs.

But Southern Idaho closed the game at the line. After Ahner converted a three-point play to push the lead to 66-63, the Eagles sealed the win by making five of six free throws in the final 31 seconds. Snow’s final chance ended when McCaden Adams missed a three-point attempt with five seconds left.

The win solidifies Southern Idaho’s position atop the region as the regular season concludes, while Snow will look to regroup before the postseason.