Preview: North Idaho Cardinal at Salt Lake Bruin Bears

SALT LAKE CITY (Interstat) — The surging Salt Lake Community College Bruin Bears will host the struggling North Idaho College Cardinal in a women’s junior college basketball game on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026.

Salt Lake (17-7) enters on a three-game winning streak, having most recently defeated Utah State Eastern 58-46 on Feb. 7. The Bruin Bears have dominated the season series, winning both prior meetings by an average margin of 26 points, including a 61-34 road victory over North Idaho on Jan. 22.

North Idaho (6-13) seeks to halt a two-game skid after falling 55-43 at Southern Idaho on Feb. 7. The Cardinal have lost eight of their last ten contests and will need a significant road performance to challenge the conference frontrunner.

A key matchup will feature each team’s top guard. Salt Lake’s Tahys Da silva has been a consistent force, averaging 14.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists over her last six games. She posted 15 points and four assists in the Feb. 7 win.

North Idaho will rely heavily on Karsyn Freeman, who has logged 40 minutes in three of her last four outings. Freeman averages 14.3 points over her last seven games, though she was held to just two points in the Jan. 22 loss to Salt Lake. Supporting contributors like Summer Faleafa and Diana Nelson, who combined for 15 points and 14 rebounds in the last game, will need to provide additional scoring.

The Bruin Bears’ defense has been stifling, holding opponents to an average of 48.3 points during their current win streak. Salt Lake’s balanced attack, which also features Ahnica Russell-Brown and Maria Ignatchenko, will test a North Idaho squad that has been held under 60 points in five of its last six games.

Following this contest, North Idaho travels to face Colorado Northwestern on Feb. 14. Salt Lake’s next game is at Snow on Feb. 19.