Cardinals continue climb up SWAC standings

COEUR d'ALENE — There was no sophomore slump to be found on the court at North Idaho College on Saturday. 

In the women's game, freshman Esmeralda Galindo scored 13 of her game-high 27 points in the first quarter as the Cardinals (17-9, 9-3 SWAC) beat the 23rd-ranked Bruins (18-7, 7-4) 71-61 to move a full game into the conference lead with three games remaining. 

"The start was great," NIC women's coach Nathan Covill said. "We shot the ball incredibly well and the girls came out focused. We could have been better in the third and fourth quarter, but that first quarter gave us that buffer and we were able to hold onto it. Esmeralda was good at the start and Kylani was great to finish, but we got a lot of big minutes. They're buying in and they're implementing game plans and putting them into action right now." 

NIC faces Southern Idaho (20-7, 8-4) next Saturday in Twin Falls.

Sophomore Kylani Rookstool scored 20 points for the Cardinals, who shot 26-of-49. 

"We did get the rebounds we needed to," Covill said. "We weren't as good as we need to be on the glass. But our defense is what keeps us in games. Marci (Grayer, Salt Lake coach) did a good job of adjusting, but we were able to steam the tides. I'm proud of these girls. They weren't given anything and just proud of the ladies." 

NIC has won two of three over second-place Salt Lake and split with Southern Idaho during the regular season. 

The Scenic West women's champion plays host to the Region 18 women's tournament March 13-14.

"If we take care of business on Saturday, we might have some people coming to Coeur d'Alene in mid-March for a tournament," Covill said. "I'm really excited for the opportunity these ladies have in front of them because of the work they've put in and the commitment they've made from listening to (NIC assistant coach) Louie (Vargas) and I. I'm just proud and happy for them. They should enjoy this on Sunday, and again on Monday." 

Simran Williams scored 25 points for Salt Lake. 

"For us, we just didn't communicate," Grayer said. "We got lost on defense and we didn't talk. We've been struggling with that all year, and it hurt us because all of them can shoot it." 

NIC has won seven of its last eight games. 

"I've known it since the jamboree they were capable of putting a run together," Grayer said. "I told my coaches that NIC was going to be good during preseason, I was surprised because of what their record was. I knew they were going to be a top dog, but it was about those pieces clicking together." 

SALT LAKE 

Simran Williams 8-14 9-12 25, Ahnica Russell-Brown 2-3 0-0 4, Nari Powers 3-13 0-1 7, Tahys Da Silva 2-8 0-0 5, Jeanne Rodriguez 2-2 1-4 5, Blanche Toualeu 0-0 0-0 0, Autumn Agnew 0-2 0-0 0, Ines Babaya 1-3 1-1 3, Laura Di Stefano 5-10 0-2 12. Totals 23-56 11-20 61. 

NORTH IDAHO 

Chloe Collin 1-3 2-2 4, Kylani Rookstool 8-11 4-4 20, Esmeralda Galindo 10-19 5-6 27, Iratxe Amorrortu 3-9 1-4 9, Summer Falaefa 2-2 0-0 6, Tiarnee Smith 1-2 0-0 2, Ripeka Edwards 1-3 0-0 3, Emmalee Secrest 0-0 0-0 0, Tayler Adams 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 26-49 12-16 71. 

Salt Lake    12    15    22    12    —    61 

North Idaho    27    14    16    14    —    71 

3-point goals — SLCC 4-23 (Williams 0-3, Russell-Brown 0-1, Powers 1-6, Da Silva 1-7, Babaya 0-1, Di Stefano 2-5), NIC 7-20 (Collin 0-1, Rookstool 0-2, Galindo 2-7, Amorrortu 2-5, Faleafa 2-2, Edwards 1-3). Rebounds — SLCC 20 (Rodriquez, Di Stefano 4), NIC 32 (Amorrortu 8). Assists — SLCC 6 (Rodriquez 3), NIC 14 (Rookstool 5). Team fouls — SLCC 18, NIC 17. Fouled out — none. 

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