TWIN FALLS - The eighth-ranked College of Southern Idaho Women's Basketball team battled all night with third-ranked Salt Lake CC but couldn't get shots to fall late, losing to the Bruins 59-52 Saturday in the final regular season contest.
The Golden Eagles will enter next week's Region 18 Tournament as the second seed. Salt Lake will be number one.
CSI led by as much as six points with eight minutes left in the first half but the Bruins went on a late run and took a three-point lead into the locker room at the half and stayed ahead the rest of the game.
Samantha Lubcke finished the game with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Kandiss Barber added 15 points. Ma Kenzie VanSickle had the hot hand early, finishing 4-for-9 from beyond the arc.
The Golden Eagles forced Salt Lake into 17 turnovers compared to 15 for CSI, but were out-rebounded 45-40. CSI's free-throw percentage 6-for-18 (33 percent) was huge in the end.
CSI finishes the regular season 26-4 overall and 11-4 in SWAC play. The Golden Eagles will open the Region 18 Tournament Friday at noon against the winner of Colorado Northwestern and Snow College.