Cardinal men, women ready to play at home, snap skid

by JASON ELLIOTT
Sports Writer | February 9, 2012 8:15 PM

COEUR d'ALENE - After a long month away from the friendly confines of Rolly Williams Court, both the North Idaho College men's and women's basketball teams return home for the next three weeks starting with the women's game tonight at 5:30.

Men: When NIC (18-5, 4-4 SWAC) began its road trip, the Cardinals were the only unbeaten team in the conference, going a perfect 3-0 at Rolly Williams Court. The Cardinals beat Utah State-Eastern 74-71 in overtime on Jan. 20, but have dropped four straight, dating back to a 74-69 loss to Colorado Northwestern in Rangely.

NIC found itself 20 points down at halftime last Saturday against sixth-ranked College of Southern Idaho, but rallied to take a lead late in the second half before coming up short 69-68 in Twin Falls.

Colorado Northwestern (6-15, 1-7) was led by Thomas Powers, who scored a game-high 23 points, including six 3-pointers in January's meeting. Powers averages 7.7 points per game for the Spartans.

NIC guard Keon Lewis is fifth in the conference in scoring at 15 points per game, with Antoine Hosley seventh with 13.6 a game. Michael Middlebrooks leads the league in rebounding with 9.6 a game.

Dashaun Wiggins is third in the conference in scoring for Eastern Utah (14-8, 2-6), which faces NIC on Saturday at 5 p.m.

Women: NIC, now ranked 12th, has lost its previous two games in conference play, losing at Snow 68-65 in overtime on Jan. 28 and at Southern Idaho 72-51 last Saturday in Twin Falls.

NIC (17-4, 6-2) trails Snow (14-9, 7-2) by a half game for first place in the SWAC, with Snow traveling to Coeur d'Alene next Saturday at 3 p.m.

NIC beat Eastern Utah 55-53 in their first matchup on Jan. 20 in Price.

Sophomore point guard Korina Baker leads the Cardinals in scoring at 12.5 a game and leads the conference in steals at 3.3 a game.

Jaynelle Johnson is fourth in the league with 13.3 points a game for Colorado Northwestern, which lost to NIC 84-74 in their previous meeting on Jan. 21.

Eastern Utah (13-10, 5-3), which was tied with NIC for the conference lead on Jan. 20, has lost three of its last four conference games after being swept by Salt Lake and Snow last weekend.

Priscila Santos leads the conference in scoring with 30 points a game for Eastern.