Preview: North Idaho Cardinal at Southern Idaho Eagles

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (Interstat) — The Southern Idaho Eagles, one of the nation’s premier junior college men’s basketball teams, will look to complete a regular-season sweep of their Scenic West Athletic Conference rival when they host the North Idaho Cardinal on Friday, March 6, 2026.

Southern Idaho (24-2) enters the contest riding a wave of dominance, having won 10 of its last 11 games. Its only two losses this season came against Snow College. The Eagles have already defeated North Idaho three times this season, including a 79-77 nail-biter on Feb. 21 and an 85-69 rout on Feb. 7.

The Eagles are led by forward Nathan Ahner, a consistent two-way force. In the teams’ last meeting, Ahner posted 15 points and seven rebounds. He is coming off a 40-minute, 17-point, 11-rebound performance in a tight 71-66 win over Snow on Feb. 28.

North Idaho (13-13), seeking to level its record and gain momentum before the postseason, faces a steep challenge. The Cardinal have lost two of three, including a heartbreaking 72-71 home loss to Utah State Eastern on Feb. 28. Their hopes will rest heavily on the play of dynamic guard Ne’quan Brown.

Brown has been spectacular in recent weeks, averaging 21.2 points over his last six games. He nearly willed his team to an upset in the last matchup with Southern Idaho, scoring 17 points with nine rebounds in the two-point loss. Containing Brown will be a primary focus for the Eagles’ defense.

Southern Idaho has won the last four meetings between the programs dating back to last November. For North Idaho to snap that streak, it will need a herculean effort from Brown and must find a way to slow an Eagles offense that has averaged 82.5 points in their four previous victories this season.

Tipoff is set for Friday night at the CSI Gymnasium.