Two conference champions could be crowned on Saturday night when the North Idaho College men's and women's basketball teams welcome archrival Southern Idaho to Rolly Williams Court in Scenic West Athletic Conference play.

NIC's men (21-6, 7-5 SWAC) are in a three-way tie with Snow (20-7, 7-5) and Salt Lake (20-7, 7-5) for second place in the SWAC with three games to play.

The No. 4 seed plays No. 5 Colorado Northwestern on the opening day of the Region 18 tournament March 8 in Salt Lake City. The No. 2 and 3 seeds meet the following day. Due to NJCAA sanctions, Utah State-Eastern is ineligible for postseason play.

A win by seventh-ranked CSI (24-3, 10-2) at 7:30 p.m. gives the Golden Eagles the conference championship and top seed to the Region 18 tournament. Whoever wins the Region 18 championship hosts the winner of the Arizona region in an NJCAA tournament play-in game on March 13.

“It really doesn’t make any difference if you’re the No. 2 or No. 3 seed,” NIC men’s coach Jared Phay said. “The only thing is if you’re wearing a home or away jersey. What we don’t want is to be the No. 4 seed and play that first day.”

After winning the last two regional tournaments as the No. 2 seed, the NIC women (21-4, 10-2), ranked seventh in the NJCAA, can clinch the SWAC championship and No. 1 seed to regionals with a win on Saturday against CSI (15-12, 7-5) at 5:30 p.m.

With a win in any of its next three games, NIC clinches the conference championship outright and the top seed to regionals starting on March 8 in Salt Lake City. CSI (15-12, 7-5) and Snow (14-12, 7-5) are tied for second, with Utah State-Eastern (14-12, 6-5) half a game back.

“We’ve got a chance to win a championship and be done,” Carlson said. “We’re glad to get them (CSI) up here this time. It should be a great game.”

The top two teams receive a first-round bye in the women’s Region 18 tournament.

• Men: In the previous matchup, NIC erased a 20-point halftime deficit, but a 3-pointer by CSI point guard Fabyon Harris gave the Golden Eagles the lead for good with 32 seconds left in a 69-68 win in Twin Falls. NIC beat CSI 75-71 on Jan. 14 in Coeur d’Alene.

Snow and Salt Lake travel to Colorado Northwestern and Utah State-Eastern Utah this weekend, the same trip that NIC and CSI conclude the regular season with next week.

• Women: NIC has won four straight since losing 72-51 in Twin Falls on Feb. 4. NIC beat CSI 67-66 at home Jan. 14.

CSI has won five straight, but has lost its previous three games on the road in conference play.