Rebounding Keys Win For Nic Men Over Dixie College

North Idaho College tried to pull a fast one on the officials in the last 12.2 seconds of Thursday night’s Scenic West Athletic Conference men’s basketball game.

After a timeout, guard Eddie Turner stepped to the free-throw line for a one-and-one attempt. But officials, as well as the Dixie (Utah) College bench, recognized that Cardinals sophomore Teodor Russinov should be the shooter.

Russinov sank the first shot, and missed the second. The Rebels Marciano Schweigert boarded and raced the length of the court, but his desperation shot at the buzzer was off. Russinov cleared the miss, and the Cardinals held on for an emotional 82-80 victory at Christianson Gymnasium.

“It was between me and Eddie,” Russinov, a Bulgaria native, laughed. “They caught us, but I wanted to shoot it.

“It was a very exciting win for the team,” Russinov said. “We’re getting ready for the regional.”

NIC upped its league record to 7-10 and 15-14 overall. Dixie fell to 11-6 and 23-6.

Rebounding sparked the Cardinals, especially the play of 6-foot-8 freshman Roy Kruiswyk and Russinov who teamed for 32 boards.

NIC held a 55-37 rebound advantage, including 26-12 in the second half. Kruiswyk grabbed 20 boards, 14 on the offensive glass, with Russinov adding nine offensive rebounds.

The Cardinals picked up 16 of their 30 offensive rebounds in the first half, but couldn’t convert them.

Dixie outscored NIC 11-2 in the last 3:54 of the first half to build a 42-33 lead in a game that featured 14 lead changes and seven ties.

Reserves tallied 17 first-half points for the Rebels, compared to no bench points for NIC.

“The number of layins we missed was unbelievable,” Cardinals coach Rolly Williams said. “I though our kids did a helluva job on rebounding.

“I was pleased with the way (the Cardinals) held up at the end. Dixie did a lot of different things (defensively).”

A baseline basket by Russinov set off a string of 11 straight NIC points with 17:36 left in the game. Russinov’s layup off a feed from Troy Thompson drew the Cardinals even at 48-all.

Dixie managed to open a 71-64 lead with 7 minutes to go, but the Cardinals again pulled even at 75-75 following a trey from reserve guard Jamie Snook.

NIC got its go-ahead points from Thompson inside off an assist from Turner at 1:45, which made it 81-80.

Russinov’s 23 points led all scorers in the game. Kruiswyk added 20 points, including 8 of 10 free-throw shotting. Thompson and Turner finished with 15 points each.

Chappell led Dixie with 14 points. Scott Leavitt added 12 points and Schweigert 11 points.

NIC entertains Snow (Utah) College on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

NIC 82, Dixie 80 DIXIE

Chappell 5-8 1-2 14, Davis 2-7 4-4 9, Akina 1-2 1-2 3, Leavitt 4-10 2-2 12, Simpson 3-11 0-0 6, Chandler 3-3 0-1 6, Jackman 2-9 1-1 5, Stilson 4-8 1-2 9, Watson 2-5 1-3 5, Schweigert 5-10 0-0 11. Totals - 31-73 11-17 80.

NORTH IDAHO COLLEGE

Dial 0-1 0-0 0, Schultz 0-0 0-0 0, Helm 2-3 2-2 6, Snook 1-6 0-0 3, Thompson 6-19 2-3 15, Turner 5-11 3-4 15, Russinov 8-17 7-11 23, Sanchez 0-1 0-0 0, Hegbloom 0-0 0-0 0, Palumbis 0-4 0-2 0, Kruiswyk 6-17 8-10 20, Beall 0-0 0-0 0. Totals - 28-79 22-32 82.

3-point goals - Dixie 7-17 (Chappell 3-5, Davis 1-1, Akina 0-1, Leavitt 2-4, Simpson 0-1, Schweigert 1-5). NIC 4-12 (Dial 0-1, Snook 1-4, Thompson 1-2, Turner 2-4, Sanchez 0-1). Rebounds - Dixie 37 (Davis 6), NIC 55 (Kruiswyk 20). Assists - Dixie 22 (Akina 6), NIC 22 (Helm 8). Total fouls - Dixie 20, NIC 17. Fouled out - none. Technicals - Jackman.