Preview: Southern Idaho Hosts Colorado Northwestern in Junior College Men’s Basketball

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (Interstat) — The Southern Idaho Eagles, boasting one of the nation’s premier junior college men’s basketball records, will look to continue their dominant season when they host the struggling Colorado Northwestern Spartans on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.

Southern Idaho (15-1) enters the contest riding a six-game winning streak, which includes a decisive 94-50 victory over these same Spartans just two weeks ago on Jan. 8. The Eagles have been nearly flawless at home this season.

The Eagles are led by standout guard Ace Reiser, who is coming off a 40-minute, 27-point performance in an 84-62 win over Utah State Eastern on Jan. 17. In the last meeting with Colorado Northwestern, Reiser posted 11 points, four rebounds and three assists in just 25 minutes of play.

Colorado Northwestern (3-14) seeks to end a seven-game skid. The Spartans fell 87-68 at Salt Lake in their most recent outing on Jan. 15. Player to watch Jaden Fitzhugh led the Spartans in that loss with 13 points and five rebounds. However, Fitzhugh was held scoreless with just one rebound in 17 minutes during the Jan. 8 blowout loss to Southern Idaho.

The statistical disparity between the teams is stark. Southern Idaho’s defense has been particularly suffocating, while its offense averages nearly double the Spartans’ output in recent play. The Eagles also feature a balanced attack, with Cooper Kesler scoring 20 points and Guygustone Kasenga pulling down 13 rebounds in their last game.

For Colorado Northwestern to compete, they will need significant production beyond Fitzhugh. Trey Johnson and Jordan Jones, who each added 13 points against Salt Lake, must contribute consistently against a deeper Southern Idaho roster.

The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. MST tipoff at the Eagles’ home court. Following this contest, Southern Idaho will travel to face Utah State Eastern on Jan. 29, while Colorado Northwestern visits North Idaho on Jan. 24.