Jose Briseno – USU Eastern Assistant SID

Photo courtesy of Dallin Grant

The Utah State Eastern men’s basketball team ended the 2026 regular season with a
visit to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to take on the North Idaho College Cardinals. The Eagles
had won the two previous matchups.

In a tightly contested matchup, the first 12 minutes of the game reflected the rest of the
contest. There were nine lead changes in the first dozen minutes of the half, a streak
that ended in an Eastern lead. Three free throws made by Robbie Yates gave Eastern a
12-point lead, the Eagles’ largest lead of the first half. The Eagles carried their lead into
the break, leading NIC 40-33 at the half.

Robbie Yates led the Eagles with 13 points at the break. He went 3-5 from the three-
point line to lead Eastern.

The Eagles’ offense continued to dominate the game. In the first few minutes of the
second half, the Eagles maintained a double-digit lead over North Idaho. With six
minutes left in the half, went on a 10-3 run, and later stretched their lead to 13 points
with under five minutes left. Despite a furious NIC comeback, the Eagles held on for a
72-71 win.

Ike Palmer finished the game with a 24-point performance. He went 9-15 in the game.
Robbie Yates also finished with 13 points.

With the win, the 22-8 (9-6) Eagles finished the regular season as the No. 3 seed in the
Scenic West Athletic Conference.

The tournament will take place in Twin Falls, Idaho, next week. Game times and opponents are to be determined.