Nic Scorches Ccs Women In Rematch

Bruce Johnson, Community Colleges of Spokane women’s basketball coach, was eager to see the videotape following Tuesday’s 72-59 loss to North Idaho College.

See it in flames, that is.

“Gonna burn that one,” said Johnson with a smile as he was handed the tape.

The teams had played an overtime game won by NIC two weeks ago. The rematch wasn’t nearly as close. NIC never trailed, led by a dozen midway through the first half and cruised to the non-conference victory.

Now, has NIC dramatically improved or has CCS staggered backward? Probably neither. NIC simply shot the ball well (50 percent) while CCS misfired (37 percent, 47 percent at the foul line).

“I don’t think we’re that much better,” NIC coach Greg Crimp said. “We’re a little deeper and we did a better job rebounding.”

NIC (7-2), which has dealt Spokane (8-2) its only two defeats, ended a two-game losing streak.

“It’s not easy to play after two league losses (last week), but I thought we did some good things, especially the players coming off the bench,” Crimp said.

One of those bench players was 6-foot-4 Erin Dowhy, who had been a starter. She produced 13 points, five rebounds and blocked two shots. Six-foot-3 Alisha Nater, who started in place of Dowhy, scored nine points.

“I thought Erin played well,” Crimp said. He said he benched Dowhy because of a “lack of desire that shows up in subtle ways.”

Numerous Cardinals clogged the stat sheet, led by Mandy Lindhe’s 13 points, Barrie Jensen’s 11 rebounds and Tammy Goyne’s eight assists.

Spokane had three double-figures scorers, but each failed to shoot 50 percent. Alana Carlander scored 14 points, Shelley Massingale 13 and Kelli Pilkington 12.

NIC is more talented than last year’s team that qualified for nationals, Johnson said. “Physically they’re better, but I don’t think they’re playing as well together yet and they’re not playing as hard.”

NIC, in front by eight at half, led by as many as 19 in the second half.

The Cardinals return to action Jan. 2-3 at the Big Bend Tournament, where they’ll face Spokane for a third time.

North Idaho 72, Spokane 59

SPOKANE (8-2) - Pilkington 6-14 0-2 12, Shelton 2-3 0-0 5, Carlander 5-14 2-4 14, Watson 2-2 0-0 5, Bradley 1-3 1-2 3, Sell 1-3 0-1 3, Massingale 3-15 6-8 13, Reagan 1-5 0-2 2, Wilkins 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 22-60 9-19 59.

NORTH IDAHO (7-2) - Middlesworth 1-1 0-0 2, Goyne 3-9 0-0 6, Grohs 3-7 0-0 7, Lemon 0-0 0-0 0, Rehder 2-3 0-0 4, Lindhe 4-8 2-3 13, Fisher 1-2 0-0 2, Robison 2-2 2-2 6, Heier 1-1 0-0 3, Dowhy 5-9 3-4 13, Nater 3-6 3-4 9, Jensen 3-8 0-0 7. Totals 28-56 10-13 72.

Half - NIC 34, Spokane 26. 3-point goals - Spokane 6-15 (Carlander 2-6, Watson 1-1, Shelton 1-2, Sell 1-2, Massingale 1-2, Pilkington 0-2), NIC 6-16 (Lindhe 3-5, Heier 1-1, Grohs 1-2, Jensen 1-4, Goyne 0-4). Total fouls - Spokane 13, NIC 18. Fouled out - none. Technical fouls - none. Rebounds - Spokane 30 (Pilkington 7), NIC 36 (Jensen 11). Assists - Spokane 14 (Shelton 7), NIC 21 (Goyne 8).

, DataTimes