Cardinals Outrun Ricks Behind Bailey’s 24 Points

It’s been a nice week for North Idaho College men’s basketball coach Hugh Watson.

The capper came Saturday night when his Cardinals devoured Ricks College 94-72 before 1,141 at Christianson Gym.

“We had a couple of good practices and it showed up tonight,” said Watson, whose Cards improved to 6-1 overall, 1-0 in the Scenic West Athletic Conference.

Several other things showed up, too. NIC’s pressure defense looked much like it did a year ago when the Cards were crowned Region 18 Tournament champions.

Point guard Nate Bailey, after a dreadful showing in NIC’s loss to Shorter College last weekend, made five 3-pointers and scored 24 points. He added six assists and two steals.

And perhaps the best news of all for Watson came from a Spokane physician who re-examined JoVann Johnson’s injured knee. The damage isn’t as extensive as originally diagnosed. Johnson, one of NIC’s best players, said he expects to be ready for the Jan. 8 home game against Snow College.

The Cardinals also are expected to have 6-11 center Ehab Al-Arorey academically eligible after Christmas. With a full complement of players, NIC could be a handful in the SWAC.

Even without its entire roster, NIC was too much for Ricks (8-3).

“They kicked our butts,” Vikings coach Clyde Nelson said. “They had an exceptional shooting night. You can’t stop everything. I thought we did a decent job of stopping penetration, but they did a good job knocking down some shots.”

NIC made 14 of 29 3-pointers, led by Bailey’s five and four each by Joe Clay and Johnny Goodman.

The offense might have spurred on the defense, Watson said.

“It might have been a difference of quickness and we also had three days to prepare,” he said. “But you tend to play better defense when you shoot and score. You play defense a little harder.”

Ricks led 29-27 before NIC’s defense struck. Ricks committed three rapid-fire turnovers and NIC moved on top 35-27. Clay made two treys in the run.

“We just went a little crazy there,” Nelson said.

Ricks was within 37-36 when the Cardinals reeled off 15 of the next 16 points to take a 52-37 lead into intermission.

“Our defense came together,” said NIC center Steven Ryan. “It hasn’t been together at all this year, but that’s what won it for us.”

Bailey hit two 3s early in the second half as NIC’s lead grew to 69-45. The Vikings never folded, but they weren’t able to throw a scare into NIC.

Ryan, Clay and Goodman each scored 14 points. Travis Houston made 6 of 7 shots and finished with 12 points. The Cardinals dished out 28 assists.

NIC visits Community Colleges of Spokane on Tuesday.

Ricks, usually deadly from 3-point range, was just 7 of 25. Seth Dahle led the Vikings with 15 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out.

North Idaho 94, Ricks 72

Ricks (8-3, 0-1) - Moore 2-8 0-0 4, Harrison 9-4 2-2 2, Church 4-10 0-0 12, Nelson 0-3 0-0 0, Bower 3-13 3-4 11, Amberry 0-0 0-0 0, Walker 2-3 3-4 8, Jenkins 0-0 0-0 0, Peterson 2-6 2-3 6, Lighthall 1-1 0-0 2, Dahle 5-6 5-5 15, Miller 0-0 0-0 0, Wilcox 6-7 0-0 12. Totals 25-61 15-18 72.

North Idaho (6-1, 1-0) - Fields 4-12 2-4 10, Bailey 9-16 1-2 24, Goodman 5-10 0-0 14, Brosseau 0-0 0-2 0, Houston 6-7 0-0 12, Clay 5-6 0-0 14, Irvin 1-4 0-1 2, Watson 0-3 1-2 1, Fisher 1-1 1-2 3, Ryan 4-7 5-6 14. Totals 35-66 10-19 94.

Half - NIC 52, Ricks 37. 3-point goals - Ricks 7-25 (Church 4-8, Bower 2-9, Walker 1-1, Harris 0-3, Nelson 0-3, Moore 0-1), NIC 14-29 (Bailey 5-9, Clay 4-5, Goodman 4-8, Ryan 1-2, Fields 0-2, Irvin 0-2, Watson 0-1). Total fouls - Ricks 22, NIC 16. Technical fouls - none. Fouled out - Dahle. Rebounds - Ricks 41 (Dahle 11), NIC 25 (Ryan, Fields each 5). Assists - Ricks 18 (Bower 7), NIC 28 (Bailey 6). Att. - 1,141.

, DataTimes