TWIN FALLS, Idaho (Interstat) — The Southern Idaho Eagles, boasting one of the nation’s top junior college records, will look to continue their dominant season when they host the Salt Lake Bruin Bears in a men’s basketball matchup on Saturday, Jan. 24.

The Eagles (16-1) have been nearly unstoppable, winning their last nine games by an average margin of 28.2 points. Their most recent outing was a 109-54 demolition of Colorado Northwestern on Thursday, where Nathan Ahner posted 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Southern Idaho’s lone loss came against Odessa on Dec. 6.

Salt Lake (8-11) seeks a major road upset to stabilize its season. The Bruin Bears have lost three of their last four, including an 86-78 home defeat to these same Eagles on Jan. 10. In that game, Southern Idaho’s depth proved decisive.

A key rematch will be in the backcourt between Southern Idaho’s Ahner and Salt Lake’s Makuei Riek. Ahner, a consistent all-around contributor, scored 10 points in the Jan. 10 win. Riek was a bright spot for Salt Lake in that loss, finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists. He is coming off a 16-point performance in a loss at North Idaho on Thursday.

Southern Idaho’s balanced attack is a constant threat. In the Jan. 10 victory, Kobe Kesler (17 points, 11 rebounds) and Cooper Kesler (21 points) joined Ahner as double-figure scorers.

The Eagles have won five straight in the series. Salt Lake’s last win over Southern Idaho was a 102-62 victory on Nov. 12, 2021.

Following this game, Southern Idaho travels to Utah State Eastern on Jan. 29. Salt Lake’s next contest is at Colorado Northwestern on Jan. 29.