Lady Cards put up a fight, come up short against CSI in reignited rivalry game

Southern Idaho 73, North Idaho 66: The strategy was simple for NIC.

Go big, and see what happens.

NIC started Faye Davis, a 6-foot forward from Redmond, Ore., in an effort to match CSI's size.

"(NIC assistant coach) Louie (Vargas) and I talked about 10 minutes before tip and we knew we had to go big today," second-year NIC coach Nathan Covill said. "And that was our traditional lineup that we started the season with. Faye has had a couple of good weeks of practice and shown that she deserves it. We felt they were going to go big and it allowed her to be successful."

Williamson scored 11 of the Cardinals' 15 points in the second quarter, but CSI held a 39-26 lead at halftime.

"Our zone still needs work, but I'm really proud of the kids," Covill said. "I know they're tired of taking Ls, but they fought hard. If you take the last two quarters of the Southern Nevada game and this game, it's all I've been asking for."

Kendall Pickford, a redshirt freshman from Lake City High, hit a 3-pointer with 22.5 seconds left to cut the deficit to 67-63, but NIC was unable to score in the final moments.

"We're trending up," Covill said. "I know the girls might not feel like that, but if we can continue with this effort and opportunities, we're going to get something from someone."

In nonconference play, CSI beat NIC 75-53 (Nov. 3) and 81-41 (Nov. 10) in Twin Falls.

By JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writer

COEUR d'ALENE — Yes, it's still a rivalry.

Solei Elletson, who did not play in the first two CSI games for NIC after joining the team following the soccer season, had 12 points and three rebounds for the Cardinals.

"I expected them to continue to get better," CSI coach Randy Rogers said. "I told our girls when you go up there, it's going to be a completely different game. No. 11 (Elletson) comes in and makes a difference. And they're in their gym in front of their crowd. They're fighting for wins and we're trying to be in the mix for a regional title."

"The first two games against them, there were some moments where we competed and were close," Covill said. "Over the course of time, they pulled away from us. I was proud. We fought for 40 minutes and I know that they're not happy and frustrated. But if we continue to get better, we're going to find a way."

Rogers is in his 22nd year as coach at CSI.

"It's so nostalgic for me," Rogers said. "Before I call it quits, it's good to come up here and play some games in this gym. I've had some great memories in this gym. Some wins, some really tough losses, but I love coming to Coeur d'Alene."

SOUTHERN IDAHO

Kennedy Gillette 1-3 2-2 4, Kaylee Headrick 2-6 0-2 5, Makeili Ika 1-3 2-2 4, Jamisyn Heaton 5-11 12-13 22, Taylor Johnson 3-7 2-4 7, Jayden McNeal 3-6 0-0 6, Izzy Arave 0-1 0-0 0, Mariah Mons 1-2 0-0 3, Elena Birkeland 4-11 0-0 12, Brayli Jenks 2-7 0-0 4, Kennedy Stenquist 0-0 0-0 0, Falon Bedke 0-0 0-0 0, Kayla Porray 2-4 0-0 5, Charli Cook 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-61 18-23 73.

NORTH IDAHO

Deniece Ryan 5-11 4-7 14, Maddie Williamson 11-17 0-2 23, Addie Kiefer 3-5 1-3 7, Faye Davis 1-5 0-0 2, Kendall Pickford 3-9 0-0 8, Solei Elletson 6-13 0-0 12, Kalysta Troman 0-2 0-0 0, Iratxe Amorrortu 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 29-63 5-12 66.

Southern Idaho    16    23    15    19    —    73

North Idaho        11    15    18    22    —    66

3-point goals — CSI 7-27 (Gillette 0-2, Headrick 1-2, Ika 0-1, Heaton 0-2, Mons 1-2, Birkeland 4-10, Jenks 0-5, Porray 1-3), NIC 3-14 (Ryan 0-1, Williamson 1-2, Pickford 2-6, Elletson 0-3, Troman 0-2). Rebounds — CSI 36 (Heaton 11), NIC 25 (Williamson, Pickford 5). Assists — CSI 15 (Ika 4), NIC 10 (Ryan 5). Team fouls — CSI 16, NIC 18. Fouled out — none. 

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