PRIEST RIVER — Even without Travis Mathews and Trentyn Kreager, the Priest River boys basketball team had no problem dismantling North Idaho Christian on Thursday night at PRLHS.

The Spartans rode a 17-5 first-quarter lead to a commanding 64-33 victory. It was Priest River's third win over the Royals this season.

With two star players out, Blake Barrett rose to the occasion and scored a game-high 19 points. He also grabbed 11 rebounds, three steals and three assists. Luke Butler had 13 points and three steals, Jace Yount tallied 10 points and Teigan Marinello added seven.

"Our lineup was a little different and players stepped up big tonight," head coach Kevin Wylie said after the game. "Blake Barrett did a great job as a leader tonight. He stepped up and kept the team going."

Across three games this season, Priest River beat NIC by an average of just over 26 points per contest.

Next up for the Spartans (9-5) is a pivotal Intermountain League game at Bonners Ferry at 7 p.m. Saturday. Both teams are currently 2-0 in IML play and the winner Saturday will take sole possession of first place in the league standings with three IML games left.

N.I. Christian 5 11 13 4 — 33

Priest River 17 7 22 18 — 64

NIC — Derochers 7, Pilgrim 4, Smith 2, McKee 3, Alliano 3, Mitchell 4, Bryan 0, Grassi 7, Sakae 3.

PRIEST RIVER — Butler 13, J. Nortz 6, Marinello 7, Bernes 0, Barrett 19, D. Nortz 5, Thompson 4, Yount 10.