NIC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Cardinals fall in finale in Arizona

| December 31, 2024 1:15 AM

TUCSON, Ariz. — Sophomore Kylani Rookstool scored 17 points for North Idaho College, which fell to Central Arizona of Coolidge, Ariz., 66-58 in the final game of the Aztec Holiday Classic on Monday.

“We were winning the rebounding battle at halftime,” said NIC coach Nathan Covill, whose team led 30-25 at halftime. “In the third and fourth quarter, we had chances, but struggled to get it going offensively. It’s tough when you’re on the road for three straight games, but now we’ve got to reevaluate and do some things to get ready for conference.”

NIC (8-6) opens Scenic West Athletic Conference play on Saturday against the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls.

“There’s a lot of positives that we’re accomplishing,” Covill said. “I feel like our defense has gotten better, but we’ve got to rectify the rebounding and turnovers. We’ve got to get better there if we’re going to have a chance to finish in the top four in conference.”

Irene Maroto scored 23 points for Central Arizona (9-6).

NORTH IDAHO

Chloe Collin 3-8 2-5 8, Kylani Rookstool 6-11 2-2 17, Emmalee Secrest 1-1 0-0 2, Iratxe Amorrortu 2-6 0-0 4, Summer Faleafa 3-5 0-0 8, Tiarnee Smith 1-2 1-1 3, Larkin Christiansen 0-0 0-0 0, Esmeralda Galindo 6-14 3-4 16, Ripeka Edwards 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 22-48 8-12 58.

CENTRAL ARIZONA

Brooklyn Wakefield 2-8 0-0 5, Madison Holden 4-9 2-2 10, Brianna Trego 0-2 0-0 0, Maria Luisa Montes 4-11 4-6 13, Audrey Quintana 4-17 3-4 13, Karol Ortiz 0-0 2-2 2, Irene Maroto 7-11 5-6 23, Janaya Bullock 0-0 0-0 0, Jordyn Dawson 0-0 0-0 0, Macey Carter 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 21-59 16-20 66.

North Idaho 19 11 13 15 — 58

Central Arizona 12 13 23 18 — 66

3-point goals — NIC 6-19 (Collin 0-3, Rookstool 3-5, Amorrortu 0-1, Faleafa 2-3, Galindo 1-6, Edwards 0-1), CAC 8-17 (Wakefield 1-1, Holden 0-1, Trego 0-1, Montes 1-2, Quintana 2-8, Maroto 4-4). Rebounds — NIC 33 (Collin 10), CAC 37 (Montes 13). Assists — NIC 11 (Amorrortu 4), CAC 9 (Quintana 4). Team fouls — NIC 17, CAC 14. Fouled out — none.