Cardinals set flight on Region 18 tourney

While six teams enter this week's Region 18 tournament - only the women's champion is going to wind up going to the NJCAA tournament.

The men's champion - will still have another fight after this weekend to get to the national stage.

The NIC men (22-8) will open the tournament tonight at 6:30 p.m. PST against Snow College (18-12), a team that has defeated the Cardinals 2 of 3 times this season.

Snow dismissed UNLV transfer DeShawn Mitchell from the team two weeks ago. Mitchell was leading the league in scoring at the time of his departure with 23.3 points per game. Snow also dismissed Renato Portugal for a violation of team policy and reserve Reggie Lewis quit the team before its Feb. 12 game in Ephraim, Utah.

"They've been playing eight guys since," NIC coach Jared Phay said. "But they've been playing well. They'll be a tough matchup."

Tournament host and second-ranked CSI (26-4) is the top seed and has a first- round bye along with 20th-ranked Eastern Utah (23-7). Salt Lake (23-7) and Colorado Northwestern (7-23) play in today's other quarterfinal.

NIC has since moved 6-foot 6 sophomore Abebe Dimissie into the starting lineup after 7-1 freshman Anthony DiLoreto left the program. NIC has gone 2-1 in the last two weeks, with the only loss at second-ranked CSI 76-71 Feb. 19.

"I felt like we've played well the last two weeks," Phay said. "By the time we got to Twin (Falls), it didn't matter in the wins and losses in the league where we'd wind up. I think we're starting to defend and rebound the ball a lot better. We’ve gotten a lot more consistent in the last two weeks in those areas.”

The winner of the men’s tournament will face the Arizona Regional champion on Tuesday in Scottsdale, Ariz., in a play-in game for nationals. That winner advances to the national tournament March 15-19 in Hutchinson, Kan.

“There’s no automatic bid and it won’t change for a while,” said Phay of the play-in game. “It’s tough enough to get out of our region and you’d think that after that point, between us and the Arizona champion, you’d think both teams deserve to go to the national tournament, especially since the women’s champions don’t have to have a play-in.”

Sixth-ranked Salt Lake (23-4) and 15th-ranked NIC (26-3) are the top two seeds in the women’s tournament, with host Southern Idaho (22-8) facing Colorado Northwestern (7-23) and Snow (16-12) taking on Eastern Utah (9-19) in quarterfinal games today.

“We’re happy to have the first-round bye this year,” NIC coach Chris Carlson said. “We had to play three games last year, but it came out OK last year, too. I’m glad we’ve got two this year.”

The Cardinals are the two-time champions and will face the winner of the CSI-Colorado Northwestern game Friday at 11 a.m. PST.

NIC has won last two tournament championships.

Saturday’s championship game winner advances to the NJCAA Women’s Championship March 15-19 at Bincentennial Center in Salina, Kan.

“We didn’t win the conference, but the other coaches are saying we’re the team to beat,” Carlson said. “This is the third time we’ve been down here in seven years and we’ve played in the championship game twice. I think we’re ready. We’ve had a great week of practice and our players are excited to keep playing.”

Sophomores Kama Griffitts (16.4) and Tugce Canitez (15.2) are fourth and seventh in the SWAC in scoring entering the tournament for NIC. Canitez is second in rebounding with 9.5 a game and leads the league in field goal percentage with .551.

Deanna Dotts injured her right knee in the Cardinals Feb. 19 matchup at CSI, but has been cleared to return for the tournament.

“She’s got her full range of motion back after a quick scope,” Carlson said. “If we need her, we’re going to use her. Other than her, we’re a 100 percent.”

Games will be webcast on niwebsports.com.

Times PST

At College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls

1 p.m. — No. 3 Salt Lake (23-7) vs. No. 6 Colorado Northwestern (7-23)

6:30 — No. 4 Snow (18-12) vs. No. 5 North Idaho (22-8)

Friday

1 p.m. — No. 2 Eastern Utah (23-7) vs. Salt Lake-Colorado Northwestern winner

6:30 — No. 1 Southern Idaho (26-4) vs. Snow-North Idaho winner

Saturday

Championship

6:30 p.m. — Friday’s winners

11 a.m. — No. 3 Southern Idaho (22-8) vs. No. 6 Colorado Northwestern (7-23)

4:30 p.m. — No. 4 Snow (16-12) vs. No. 5 Eastern Utah (9-19)

Friday

11 a.m. — No. 2 North Idaho (26-3) vs. Southern Idaho-Colorado Northwestern winner

4:30 p.m. — No. 1 Salt Lake (23-4) vs. Snow-Eastern Utah winner

Saturday

Championship

4 p.m. — Friday’s winners