After a slow start, the Golden Eagles took the lead over the North Idaho College Cardinals and ended the first half of play 4-36.
In the second half, USU Eastern managed to maintain a significant lead for the first nine minutes. However, NIC battled back and whittled the lead down to three with six minutes left.
Officials called a controversial technical foul on the Eagles and NIC went to the line where they went one for two.
With 1:45 on the clock, the Cardinals made a deep three-pointer to take their first lead. USU pulled out a deep three of their own to tie the game back up with only 40 seconds remaining, but an easy bucket from NIC put them ahead once again.
The Golden Eagles had a chance to even the score with a last second foul, but were unable to sink either free throw. The final score was 78-76 in favor of NIC. The loss knocks USU out of the tournament while NIC advances to play Salt Lake Community College on Friday at 2 p.m..
After a slow start the Golden Eagles