RANGELY, Colo. – The Colorado Northwestern Community College Men's Basketball team made program history again on Thursday evening with its 84-81, Scenic West Athletic Conference victory against North Idaho College inside Hefley Arena.
 
With the win, the Spartans guaranteed they would finish the season with a record of .500, or better, for the first time ever. It adds to a list of milestones achieved by the 2024-25 CNCC squad including the most wins in a season. Cole Johnson led the home team's charge into the history books by scoring 17 points with seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Carson Forsey and Arthur Videira added 13 points apiece. Additionally, Tyler Christensen and Elijah Kersey combined for 22 points. On the glass, Christensen and Santiago Casarin pulled down eight rebounds each. Casarin also dished out four assists.
 
"It's fun to set records and accomplish things that have never been done here before," said Colorado Northwestern Head Coach Ben Cruickshank. "I think it will sink in further once the season is over and we have time to look back and reflect. Right now, this group is focused on what's next."
 
Earning the historic win wouldn't be easy for CNCC (15-6, 1-5 SWAC). The Spartans had already played NIC (11-10, 1-5 SWAC) once earlier this season in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and dropped a 78-76, overtime heartbreaker. Thursday's rematch proved to be another thriller. It started with an early lead for North Idaho which tallied 16 points in the first five minutes of the contest. The momentum stayed with the Cardinals for most of the first half as they extended their lead to 37-21 with 7:33 remaining before the break. However, Colorado Northwestern battled back with a combined run of 24-10 to cut NIC's advantage to just two points at halftime. Johnson played a huge role in the surge with 11 first-half points. Seven points in seven minutes off the hand of Kersey proved helpful as well.
 
The back-and-forth battle carried into the second half with both teams throwing proverbial haymakers. A Johnson three-pointer cut the visitor's lead to one point at the 15 minute mark. North Idaho immediately responded with a three of its own to keep a four-point cushion. Once again, CNCC clapped back. Videira provided the response with an and-one layup. He made three free-throw and brought the margin back to one point. At the 13:51 mark of the second half, Johnson drained another long-range bucket, providing the Spartans their first lead of the game at 60-58. Eventually, an eight-foot jumper in the paint from Casarin pushed the home advantage to 12 at 72-60 with 10:24 left to play. Undoubtedly, North Idaho battled back and drained a three with 2:01 remaining in the game. That cut CNCC's lead to 83-79. A NIC layup at 1:05 made it a two point game. Two huge stops from the Spartans' defense brought Colorado Northwestern down the stretch to an 84-81 victory.
 
Coach Cruickshank's squad returns to action quickly with a Saturday matchup against #22 College of Southern Idaho (17-4, 5-1 SWAC). While acknowledging the challenge presented by CSI, Cruickshank is confident in his team's excitement to take on the nationally-ranked squad. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Hefley Arena.

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."