NIC MEN'S BASKETBALL: Skalskiy's big night sparks Cardinals

| December 4, 2021 1:10 AM

COEUR d’ALENE — With starting point guard Cooper DeWitt still sidelined with a concussion, North Idaho College has been seeking guys to step up in his absence.

Friday was Jalen Skalskiy’s night.

Skalskiy, a freshman from Lakeland High, had 25 points and eight rebounds for the Cardinals in a 107-61 win over Rexburg United, a collegiate team from Rexburg, on Friday at Rolly Williams Court in the Coeur d’Alene Inn-vitational.

“Jalen’s really starting to figure it out,” NIC coach Corey Symons said. “He’s just a high energy guy and plays well at both ends of the floor. He had five offensive rebounds, and just creates problems with mismatches.”

Julius Mims had 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists for NIC (3-3).

“We’re starting to learn each other's strengths and weaknesses,” Symons said. “We really did a good job of sharing the ball again tonight with 23 assists. Without Cooper, we’re needing some other guys to play a big role, and the guys carried it tonight.”

NIC concludes the tournament tonight against Elite Prep at 7:30. The Cardinals beat Elite Prep 79-68 on Thursday to open the tournament.

REXBURG UNITED

Drew Smart 4-10 0-0 8, Tyson Fullmer 0-6 0-0 0, Cooper Anderson 7-11 0-0 15, Jaxon Campbell 3-9 0-0 8, August Carlson 3-6 2-2 11, Tyler Scorsby 5-11 0-0 11, Jackson McGowan 4-7 0-0 8. Totals 26-60 2-2 61.

NORTH IDAHO

Julius Mims 9-15 0-0 18, Daniel Santana 3-6 2-2 8, Taden King 5-10 0-0 13, Jalen Skalskiy 11-15 3-6 25, Gavin Gilstrap 1-3 0-0 2, Brendan Johnson 3-3 0-0 8, Jack Kiesbuy 4-9 2-3 10, Trae Hugs 3-6 2-4 9, Xavier Bailey 6-9 0-0 12, Akeyse Rice 1-3 0-2 2. Totals 46-79 9-17 107.

Halftime — NIC 50-29. 3-point goals — RU 7-24 (Smart 0-4, Fuller 0-2, Anderson 1-3, Campbell 2-6, Carlson 3-5, Scorsby 1-4), NIC 6-19 (Mims 0-1, King 3-8, Skalskiy 0-1, Johnson 2-2, Kiesbuy 0-3, Hugs 1-3, Bailey 0-1). Rebounds — RU 17 (Scorsby 5), NIC 44 (Mims, Skalskiy 8). Assists — RU 12 (Fullmer, Campbell, Carlson 3), NIC 23 (Mims, Santana 5). Team fouls — RU 8, NIC 7. Fouled out — none.