IDAHO – The Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) Lancer basketball team rounded out 2023 with a road trip to Idaho Falls to play Utah State Eastern (USE) and the College of Southern Idaho (CSI) – both opponents using the mascot of the golden eagle. 

Each game boiled down to a tale of two halves. The Lancers led a scrappy first half against USE on December 15 to lead by a possession, 32-30, at halftime.

An 11-point run by the Golden Eagles in midway into the second half proved a turning point and set the stage USE to prevail, 72-53. 

The game against CSI unfolded in a similar pattern. Both teams fought to control the scoreboard throughout a tight first half, the Lancers briefly coming within one point of overtaking CSI. 

The Golden Eagles commenced a 7-point run to lead, 47-38, at halftime. EWC came up short in recovering the initiative in the second half and CSI expanded its lead to post the win, 104-72. 

“We were up by two at halftime versus Eastern, but we only shot 20 percent in the second half,” head coach Tom Andersen said. “Against CSI, we had a great first half versus one of the best programs in the country.”

Utah State Eastern

The Lancers pulled ahead early in the first quarter with a layup from freshman Masaiah Binford and a 3-pointer by sophomore Micah Glover. 

USE then pulled into the lead, 13-5. Freshman Makhiah Tarver responded with a 5-point run, making it a one-possession game, 13-10.

USE scored a close-range shot. Regaining possession, Glover tossed in a layup and outside shot to tie the game, 15-15 at 10 minutes.

The Lancers continued to lead with points from Binford, Tarver and freshmen Ryan Aye, Julius Crosby and Jules Teboul.

The Golden Eagles met the Lancers in scoring at 28 points. A layup by Tarver moved EWC back into the lead, 30-28. USE scored and deadlock the game, 30-30.

Glover answered with a layup, and EWC finished the first half ahead, 32-30.

The point-for-point battle resumed in the second half. Glover began the half with a 3-pointer and the scoreboard favored EWC, 35-30.

USE tied the game again at 35 points. Teboul netted a layup, placing the Lancers ahead, 37-35.

The game reached a stalemate once more at 37 points. Crosby scored a layup and went 2-for-2 at the free-throw line and the Lancers regained the initiative, 41-38.

EWC found itself ahead on last time at 12:12 in the second half following a jumper by Tarver. USE then went on an 11-point run to retake the lead, 54-43. 

Glover netted 19 points for the Lancers against USE with Tarver contributing 11, Binford 10, Crosby six, Teboul four and Aye three. Tarver went double-double with 15 rebounds. Binford posted eight rebounds. Crosby shared the ball well with six assists. On defense, Crosby made four steals.

College of Southern Idaho

The Lancers established an early lead with shots by Teboul and Tarver. CSI took control of the scoreboard for the ensuing 12 minutes, although EWC kept close at the Golden Eagles’ heels.

Aye made it a 1-point game, 19-18, at 11:50 with a layup. CSI edged up by two possessions. The Lancers closed the gap to a single possession following a 4-point run by Teboul and two free throws from Aye.

With 2 minutes remaining in the first half, CSI went on a 7-point run to lead, 47-38, at halftime and the Golden Eagles controlled the scoreboard throughout the second half.

Tarver led the Lancers in scoring against CSI, posting 24 points. Teboul netted 22 points, freshman Henos Fitwi nine, Aye seven, Glover six with two apiece by Crosby and freshman Rodrigo Sanchez. Teboul made 11 rebounds and Tarver caught seven. Glover made three assists.

The Lancers return to action following the holidays and host Western Nebraska Community College on January 8, 2024.