Women’s basketball pulls out comeback victory over Treasure Valley

NIC women’s basketball used a strong second half effort to defeat Treasure Valley 63-58 at Christianson Gymnasium Saturday afternoon. 

NIC trailed almost the entire game by as many as 10 points, but managed to hang around and found themselves down six points entering the fourth quarter. The Cards have grown accustomed to offensive outbursts in the fourth quarter, and once again turned it on and outscored Treasure Valley 19-8 to take the victory 63-58.

Anna Schrade goes up for a layup in NIC’s victory over Treasure Valley. Schrade and the Cards have been hottest when it matters most this season. Their 15.8 points average in the fourth quarter is more than a point higher than any other quarter average (first 14.25, second 14.1, third 14.75).

NIC found themselves down 19-11 at the end of the first quarter thanks in large part to Treasure Valley’s Lilly Kelley, who outscored NIC 12-11 by herself. The Cards managed to stuff Kelley in the second half, and she ended up scoring zero points with three turnovers.

Demi Randall led the Cards in scoring with 15 points, including going 4-6 from beyond the three-point line, and came up with a team high three steals. Anna Schrade had 14 points, and Halle Eborall had five points while leading the team with 10 rebounds.

The victory splits the season series between NIC and Treasure Valley after the Cards came up just short against the Chukars, losing 67-66.

Up next for the Cards (6-3, 12-8) is a game at Big Bend (3-7, 11-12) Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. before returning home to play second-ranked Walla Walla (9-0, 20-1) Saturday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m.

The Cards faced Walla Walla on the road earlier this season and lost to the Warriors 70-40.