NIC hears no final whistle in loss to Dixie
The last 30 seconds had a little bit of everything, but there was no satisfying conclusion for the North Idaho College women’s basketball team.
The Cardinals had several chances to take the lead, but couldn’t convert and dropped a 73-72 Scenic West Athletic Conference decision to Dixie State College at Christianson Gym on Saturday.
It ended with NIC sophomore guard Jeni Boesel flat on her back in the lane after her shot was rejected by Talita Aguiar just before the final buzzer. It was Boesel’s second shot of the possession.
“Jen was trying to create and she’s good at drawing contact and getting her shot off,” NIC coach Chris Carlson said. “I thought there was some contact on both shots, but I don’t have a whistle.”
The Cardinals, who thumped Dixie 89-71 on Friday, were never quite in sync on offense or defense in the rematch. NIC dropped to 15-7, 6-4 in conference. Dixie, led by Aguiar’s 17 points and 14 rebounds, is 15-7, 6-4.
“They were much more aggressive, but we responded well in the second half,” Carlson said. “Our timing just seemed to be off.”
NIC trailed 72-70 after Ahlee Thomas of the Cardinals had a putback with 31.4 seconds left. NIC’s Stephanie Jones made a steal right after the inbounds pass, but missed from point-blank range. Boesel alertly converted on the rebound and was fouled with 24.6 seconds left. With the score tied at 72, Boesel missed the free throw.
NIC’s Sarah Dennehy had the rebound for a split second, but had the ball stolen. Charmaine Piula hit 1 of 2 free throws with 22.8 seconds left for a 73-72 Dixie lead.
The Cardinals wanted the ball in Boesel’s hands, but she was unable to connect after driving down the right side of the lane. Her second shot came from the middle of the key, but it was blocked by Aguiar.
NIC was sluggish early, enduring a 3:30 dry spell. Dixie responded with a 12-0 run for a 26-18 lead.
The Rebels led by as many as 13 with a transition game that repeatedly caught NIC flat-footed, even after Cardinals’ baskets. Dixie nearly matched its Friday game total of 12 assists with 11 in the first half, and also had a 27-13 rebounding edge en route to a 40-31 halftime lead.
Dixie held NIC to 38.6 percent shooting, down from 47.1 percent Friday.
“They’re such good shooters,” Dixie coach Dexter Irvin said of NIC. “We just tried to switch on picks and get out on their shooters.”
After a frosty-shooting first half, Boesel heated up in the second and her 3-pointer gave NIC the lead 48-47 with 12:18 remaining.
Boesel scored 17, but made just 7 of 20 shots. Dennehy led NIC with 19 points and 12 rebounds, and Sheena Hinkle contributed 10 points off the bench.