Another chapter was written in the rivalry between Salt Lake Community College and College of Southern Idaho, as the No. 1 seed Bruins fell to the No. 2 seed Eagles 60-57 in the Scenic West Athletic Conference Region 18 championship game.
CSI (21-11, 10-5 SWAC) held the lead throughout most of the first half, entering halftime with a 27-24 lead. The No. 6-ranked Bruins (26-6, 13-2) shot over 50 percent in the second half to keep the game close.
Salt Lake held a 57-56 lead with one minute to play before CSI hit a critical jumper and two free throws. The Bruins had a chance to tie the game on their final possession, but Elsa Paulsson Glantz’s 3-pointer fell short as time expired.
In a game highlighted by defense, SLCC shot just 36 percent from the field and 17 percent from 3-point range. Raushan Gultekin led the Bruins with 15 points and Cassidy Whitney scored 13.
Salt Lake shot 67 percent from the free throw line, compared to 87 percent for CSI.
Whitney and Gultekin earned first-team Region 18 honors, Clarissa Sabedra was selected to the all-region second team and Betsy Specketer was named Region 18 coach of the year.
Despite a runner-up finish in the Region 18 tournament, Salt Lake advances to the NJCAA Division I national tournament in Salina, Kan. First round action begins March 16.
