Thunder drops home game to Cranbrook

The North Idaho Thunder were handed their second loss of the season at home versus Cranbrook Jan. 18.

The scoring for Cranbrook was dominated by 6’-7 post player C. Marlatt who led all scoring with 38 points and went 9 for 12 from the stripe.

She is an excellent post player. She is tall, physical, an excellent rebounder and keeps the ball high in the paint.

Despite being double and triple-teamed she was still able to get her shots off inside.

I said to the kids: “Remember when your kids were little and you would tease them by holding a ball above their heads. It was a little like that.”

Despite the height difference and shooting their lowest field goal percentage of the year, the NIT girls were in it to the end.

A half time score of 26-25 favored the home town team. In the opening minutes of the third the post double team had its consequences as Hill picked up her fifth foul. Oxford and Pluid had to sit the rest of the quarter with four fouls each.

NIT stormed back with a vengeance in the fourth, outscoring their opponent 20-11.

Perimeter on ball pressure applied by Skeen and Stippich forced six turnovers and Oxford was able to generate four steals which were converted to points.

Emma Pluid dug in and helped hold the Cranbrook post to three fourth-quarter points and Mendenhall ripped down four offensive rebounds.

The efforts brought the team to within four points with 20 seconds left, but that is as close as they would get.

“You guys (NIT) move the ball so well we have to guard everyone on the team, which makes it very difficult,” said Cranbrook head coach Greg Colburn. “You made a strong run in the fourth that had us worried.”

The Thunder would like to thank all of the spirited spectators at the game for their support.

NIT Player pts: A Skeen 12, Stippich 9, Mendenhall 5, K Skeen 0, Oxford 12, Warden 0, Hill 8, M Pluid 2, Oyharsabal 0. Total 53.

Cranbrook Player pts: Aston 1, Harris 0, Pighin 9, Bostock 0, Colburn 9, Tank 0, Marlatt 38, Orr 0. Total 57.