TWIN FALLS, Idaho – The Colorado Northwestern Community College Men's Basketball team returned to Twin Falls on Friday and Saturday and emerged with two more wins as part of an undefeated weekend.
 
In the second of three straight trips to the College of Southern Idaho, the Spartans found themselves pitted against Northeastern Junior College and Western Nebraska Community College. Friday's contest saw CNCC edge past the Plainsmen, 56-47. Saturday brought a 97-55 dismantling of WNCC. The two wins moved Head Coach Ben Cruickshank's squad to a record of 8-1 on the season.
 
Friday was a defensive battle between the directional rivals. The Spartans were held to 35-percent shooting from the floor including a 31-percent mark from behind the three-point line during the first 20 minutes of action. Colorado Northwestern returned the favor as well, liming NJC to just 25 points on 25-percent shooting from the floor and only two three-pointers on 10 attempts. Sophomore guard Tyler Christensen buoyed CNCC's first-half offense by scoring eight points with four field goals on five attempts. After the break it was much of the same. The Spartans only managed 27 more points, but also held the Plainsmen to 22 points through the final 20 minutes for the final margin. Christensen finished the game with 16 points to lead all scorers. Freshman Carson Forsey chipped in 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting. Sophomore Jamir Todd pulled down a game-high eight rebounds.
 
On Saturday, Colorado Northwestern hit its stride on offense, much to the chagrin of Western Nebraska. Sophomore Santiago Casarin was the star of the explosion. He went off for 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting including seven buckets from long range. Casarin also led all players with nine rebounds. Furthermore, the dominant victory moved the Spartans into the top-10 nationally in two statistical categories. Their stingy defense has held teams to 54.7 points per game which ranks fifth in the nation. The same defense has also limited opponents to 35.5-percent shooting which is 10th in the nation. Other contributors on Saturday included sophomore Mitch Jeppesen with 12 points, Christensen and Mason Mickelsen with 10 points and Johnson touting nine points and nine assists.
 
The men of Colorado Northwestern return to Twin Falls, Idaho, this coming weekend for matchups with Lane County College and Eastern Wyoming. Both games will tipoff at 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Fans can keep up with CNCC men's basketball on social media at @CnccMbb on "X" (formerly Twitter), at cncc_mbb on Instagram, and on Facebook by searching "CNCC Men's Basketball."