WAHPETON — A 15-hour bus ride is hard enough, but having to face two tough teams afterward might be worse.

The Salish Kootenai College men’s basketball team embarked on the long bus ride to Wahpeton, North Dakota, to face North Dakota State College of Science and the United Tribes Technical College.

“It was a tough weekend,” head coach Zachary Camel said.

On Saturday, the Bison lost 114-78. NDSCS won its region last year.

“They have one person from North Dakota,” Camel said. “They get all these guys who want to make Division I teams.”

As a team, the good news is that the Bison hit 14 three-point shots. The bad news is they made 46 attempts.

“Making 14 threes is good,” Camel said. “If we only didn’t have to take 46.”

NDSCS had tall, athletic players that challenged the Bison.

Sonny Eppinette led the Bison with 27 points and five rebounds. Dennis Sangrey had 15 points and six assists.

“Sonny played like he belonged,” Camel said.

On Sunday, the game was much closer, with the Bison losing 84-94.

SKC was up by eight at one point in the second half but couldn’t finish the job.

Foul trouble early on didn’t help the Bison’s cause.

Eppinette received two fouls in the first two minutes and a third when he re-entered the game at the ten-minute mark.

James Bible stepped up and knocked down 17 points and had 18 rebounds.

Shawn Blount had a double-double.

“He is a guy that knows how to produce,” Camel said. “When he gets out there, he is a real productive player.”

SKC met their goal of dishing out 15 assists, Camel said, but still have to reach the goal of 15 threes per game.

Sangrey had six three pointers and six assists.

Camel said the team broke down because they weren’t ready for the last eight minutes of the intense game and hit a snag when Eppinette fouled out. 

“We didn’t finish the game,” he said. “We’ve got to get our shooters in the right spot.”

The two tough games helped to push the players and show the team’s strengths and weaknesses.

“I’m satisfied with our conditioning and physicality,” Camel said. “Even though they were taller, we did what we had to do. “

SKC had a short turnaround, playing North Idaho College yesterday. Scores were unavailable at press time.

They had Monday off and will be able to sleep in on Wednesday, as the players have no classes.

“We’re developing,” Camel said. “The important thing is that we are ahead of last year.”

Lady Bison

Last weekend, the Lady Bison also took the bus ride to North Dakota.

Against North Dakota State College of Science, the Bison had many turnovers in the 83-62 loss.

Carla McLean and Dani Augare each had 18 points. McLean had 15 rebounds.

On Sunday, against the United Tribes Technical College, the Bison were challenged to a 97-61 loss.

McLean scored 14 points and Misty Ostlie put away 13 points.

SKC is off until Nov. 20 when it travels to Great Falls to take on the University of Great Falls JV team.