Nic Men, Women Land Just Shy Of First Place

North Idaho College went hunting for two Scenic West Athletic Conference basketball championships Saturday night at Utah Valley and came away empty-handed.

NIC’s men trailed by as many as 30 before losing 91-78 to Utah Valley. NIC’s women lost leads late in regulation and overtime, falling 65-64 to the Wolverines.

If NIC had won the regular-season finales, it would have earned co-conference titles. Instead, the Cards will have to settle for the next best thing: They already clinched rights to host the Region 18 Tournament.

College of Eastern Utah (26-4, 15-3 SWAC) won the men’s title by downing Dixie 92-72. Utah Valley shared the women’s crown with Salt Lake at 15-3. Salt Lake was awarded the No. 1 seed via tiebreakers.

Tiebreakers were being sorted out late Saturday night, but it appeared that the second-seeded NIC men (24-4, 14-4) will face No. 7 Salt Lake (21-9, 9-9) on Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Christianson Gym.

NIC’s women (24-4, 14-4) are seeded third and will face No. 6 Dixie (20-9, 9-9) on Thursday at 8 p.m.

Men

A year ago, NIC ambushed Utah Valley in the season finale at Christianson Gym. The Wolverines returned the favor on Saturday.

Travis Hanson scored 19 points to lead Utah Valley to the convincing win.

Andre McKanstry’s 26 led NIC.

Women

The Cardinals committed several turnovers late in overtime and paid dearly when Utah Valley’s Mary Hunter scored to tie the game with 8 seconds remaining.

NIC’s Jaime Richards was whistled for a loose-ball foul with 3 seconds left. The Wolverines’ Lelei Salea hit 1 of 2 free throws to make it 65-64. Time expired before NIC could attempt a shot.

, DataTimes