Another slow start. Another big deficit. Another blowout win.

The College of Southern Idaho men's basketball team won its final game at the Wells Fargo Tip-Off Classic the same way it won its first. After trailing by double figures in the first half, the Golden Eagles (2-0) soared back to take a 73-59 win over tourney host Casper (Wyo.) College Saturday night.

After trailing by 19 and winning by 17 against Northwest (Wyo.) College on Friday, CSI fell behind 29-15 in the first half against Casper, but closed the half with an 11-0 run spurred by the play of point guard Pierre Jackson. That momentum continued after intermission as CSI built a 17-point cushion before coasting home.

"Certainly my blood pressure doesn't know if it likes that blue print," CSI head coach Steve Gosar told 1450 AM KEZJ.

The Golden Eagles won with defense, holding Casper to 29-percent shooting. That effort created numerous transition baskets on the offensive end.

Carrick Felix scored a game-high 23 points to lead CSI in scoring for the second straight game, while Josten Thomas added 16 points. But Felix's biggest contribution came in holding Casper star Antonio DiMaria to six points.

"Carrick has been huge for us defensively," said Gosar.

CSI took its first lead of the game on a 3-point play by D.J. Stennis with just under 14 minutes remaining. A triple by Felix put the Golden Eagles up 12 at 62-50 and Casper never threatened again.

"They just kept fighting and I love that about this team. The ceiling for this team is pretty high," said Gosar. "We have a chance to be pretty good."

The Golden Eagles are home this week for the Gordon Paving/Mountain West Components Invitational. CSI faces Westchester (N.Y.) Community College on Thursday, Southeast Select on Friday and Seward (Kan.) County Community College on Saturday. Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m. each night.

Note: Former CSI star Daequon Montreal scored nine points as Boise State capped its exhibition season with a 109-89 home win over Concordia (Ore.).

CSI 73, Casper College 59

CSI (73)

D.J. Stennis 2 1-1 3, Antonio Owens 3 0-1 6, Pierre Jackson 1 3-6 5, Chuck Odum 2 3-6 7, Byago Diouf 0 0-2 0, Keon Pledger 0 0-2 0, Carrick Felix 7 7-12 23, Josten Thomas 8 0-3 16, Brandon Givens 1 0-0 2, Romario Souza 3 1-2 7, Kenny Buckner 2 0-0 4. Totals 28-61 15-35 73. 3-point goals: 2-8.

CASPER COLLEGE (59)

Art Steward 21, Brett Sommerville 4, Robert Mayes 15, Antonio DiMaria 6, James Hayden 3. Brandan Walton 5, Michael Dietz 5. Totals 18-62 18-28 59. 3-point goals: 5-20.

Halftime: Casper 29, CSI 26.