DILLON, Mont. - Posts Joel Barndt and Jermey Nicholas combined for 37 points and 21 rebounds, leading Rocky Mountain College to an 80-65 victory over The College of Idaho at the Craig "Finny" Finberg Memorial Tournament in Straugh Gymnasium.
Box Score
The 6-6 Barndt and the 6-9 Nicholas helped the Bears (2-0) to a 44-35 edge on the boards, as Rocky jumped out to a 40-28 halftime advantage. The Yotes led 14-13 on a Miguel Rodriguez steal and basket, but RMC went on an 18-4 run over the next five minutes to take the lead for good. Rocky held the Yotes to just 8-of-25 shooting in the first half, including 1-of-10 from outside the arc.
The Coyotes (0-2) would use an 11-2 run early in the second half, capped by a three-pointer from Ben Van Lith, to cut the deficit to 44-39 with 15 minutes to play, but Rocky responded with a 10-0 run of their own to take control.
Van Lith led The C of I with 16 points, nine rebounds, and four steals, with Rodney Delgardo recording 14 points and five assists. Transfer Taylor Pruett came off the bench to record 10 points and eight rebounds.
Nicholas had 22 points and seven rebounds in the win for RMC, with Malachi Roberts scoring 21, and Barndt recording a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Both teams had 17 turnovers in the contest.
The Yotes return to action on Thursday night, playing a neutral court date with Walla Walla University in La Grande, Ore.
