NIC, Snow College earn first round byes for tourney
The Lady Cardinals defeated the College of Southern Idaho Lady Golden Eagles 69-63 on Rolly Williams Court Feb. 25 to earn their first Scenic West Athletic Conference title since the 2005-06 season.
“You want to be able to seize the opportunity that’s right in front of you,” said NIC head coach Chris Carlson. “We’re trying to be proactive, more proactive as a team, and I think that was big.”
Sophomore guard Korina Baker filled the stat sheet with 15 points, hitting nine out of 10 from the free throw line. She also collected five rebounds, six assists and four steals at her final game on Rolly Williams Court.
Freshman guard Katie Buskey led all scorers with 26 points on nine of 16 shooting from the floor and three of five from 3-point range.
Sophomore forward Julia Salmio also added 15 points for the Lady Cardinals.
“I think we execute well and Katie makes some really good shots,” Salmio said. “It’s good to help the team try to win those important games.”
CSI led at halftime 20-19, but the Lady Cardinals responded.
Baker scored two points on a fast break with 16:15 remaining to tie the game at 31. Buskey later buried one of her three 3-point shots to extend NIC’s lead to 38-33.
After a 7-0 Lady Golden Eagles run, Buskey hit another three to put the Lady Cardinals back on top 41-40 with 12:40 to go in the game.
CSI led 46-44 until Buskey tied the game and then Baker put NIC ahead 48-46.
With 5:46 remaining, Buskey scored another bucket to increase their lead to 56-51.
CSI kept the NIC lead to single digits, but Buskey scored on a Baker assist with 2:04 to play. With less than a minute remaining, Buskey drew a foul, scored and made her free throw to complete the three-point play.
NIC never looked back after that point and avenged its 72-51 loss to the Lady Golden Eagles on Feb. 4 in Twin Falls.
“CSI had beat us by 21 at their place, so we had something to prove,” Carlson said.
The offensive production increased in the second half on both teams.
The Lady Cardinals shot about 52 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range, scoring 50 points in the second half.
CSI converted about 53 percent of its shots from the floor and 50 percent from 3-point land, resulting in a 43-point offensive performance after halftime.
The Lady Cardinals and Snow College will have a first round bye in the Region 18 Tournament in Salinas, Kan.
