TWIN FALLS, Idaho - The fourth-ranked College of Southern Idaho Women's Basketball Team fought back from a 14-point deficit to beat Salt Lake CC 60-57 Friday in the Region 18 Championship.
The Golden Eagles struggled to shut down post Finau Tonga in the first half, giving up 20 points to her inside. But CSI kept the ball out of her hands in the second half and allowed just two more points from the center.
CSI upped its defensive pressure in the second half and held the Bruins to 23 points, while scoring 33.
Keying the offense was Livia Knapp. The sophomore guard finished the game with 19 points, three assists, two steals and two rebounds in earning Region 18 Tournament MVP honors. She made two huge free throws late to put CSI up three as well.
Courtney Stothard also came up big for the Golden Eagles, finishing with 10 points, four steals and three rebounds, while Alyssa Christensen added six points, six steals, three assists and six rebounds for the night.
Kennedy Eskelson was solid on both sides of the ball, scoring nine points along with three assists and three rebounds and held the league's leading scorer and Player of the Year Aminata Diakite to just 10 points. 
Kaylee Headrick finished the game with a team-high 11 rebounds and also scored five points. 
Stothard and Christensen also earned all-tournament honors along with Snow's Samiana Suguturaga, SLCC's Tonga and Diakite.
The Golden Eagles secured a berth in the NJCAA Division I National Championships in Lubbock, Texas March 22-27. CSI will find out Sunday at 6 p.m. during the selection show what seed it will be at the national tournament.