Like mother, like daughter.

They might have played in the same gymnasiums in their time at Montana State-Billings and at North Idaho College - for current Cardinals sophomore forward Kabri Emerson and her mother, Shelley (Steigleman) Emerson - it doesn't stop there.

Steigleman played for NIC in the late 1980s, where she lived with Bob and Linda Ely of Rathdrum.

"When we'd come here and visit family, we'd always go up and see them every time we were back," Emerson said. "They told me they had an extra room, so they offered to keep me up in Rathdrum."

"We'd always kept up with Shelley after she left," Bob Ely said. "And we've watched Kabri grow up and went to see her play in state tournaments in Montana. When it came time for her to pick a college, she opted to go to (Montana State)-Billings, and then she didn't like it all that much. NIC had enough scholarship money, and her mom called and asked if we had a spare bedroom. I told her mom that Kabri couldn't be any worse than her and to come on over."

"My mom was definitely more of a troublemaker than I am," Emerson said. "They're just very sarcastic and understanding and very flexible with my class and game schedule as an athlete. They're very, very easy to live with."

The Elys have also hosted some of NIC's foreign players until the dorms opened before the fall semester.

When Emerson opted to go to NCAA Division II MSU-Billings out of high school, she intended to stay all four years.

“I really didn’t want to have to transfer or go to any other school,” Emerson said. “So I picked a four-year college over a junior college on the idea that I wouldn’t have to transfer. But now, I guess I’ll be transferring to three different schools in three years.”

Mother and daughter shared the court on Dec. 1, when NIC beat a group of All-Stars 90-51 at Rolly Williams Court.

“It was a lot of fun to watch,” Ely said. “We laughed a lot at the oldies. At one point in the game, Kabri broke away for a layup and her mom was chasing after her and yelling ‘no, no, no’ and I knew at that point that she had to make the shot, because if she didn’t — she’d never hear the end of it.”

Emerson elected to transfer to NIC after one season in Billings.

Since arriving at NIC this season, Emerson has started all 22 games, and is second on the team averaging 9 points per game and leads the team with 6.9 rebounds per game.

“I love playing here,” Emerson said. “It’s a great program and these coaches are wonderful. Honestly, if I could stay here another four years, I would do it in a heartbeat — without a doubt. This was definitely on the top of the list (of schools to transfer to). I’ve had friends that have gone here and loved it as far as the school and location. I knew the basketball program was really good, so it was a really good option for me. I learned a lot about the transition from high school to college basketball in Billings. The transition was the biggest thing, and I liked the four-year feel, but I’m glad I came here.”

“It’s been fun having her here,” Ely said. “It’s nice to have a younger person around the house. One of our dogs barks at her continually. Her mom might have been a little wilder, but Kabri is very serious and a good student. Her mom might have been a better basketball player, but Kabri is probably going to get a scholarship to go somewhere to play. I’ve enjoyed watching her play.”

“I’m just glad we got her on the rebound,” NIC women’s coach Chris Carlson said.

NIC (21-1, 6-1 Scenic West Athletic Conference), ranked second in this week’s NJCAA poll, resumes conference play tonight at 5:30 p.m., hosting Snow, which won the Region 18 tournament last year.

WOMEN: In its last game, NIC shot 29 of 37 from the free-throw line in an 87-53 win against Colorado Northwestern on Saturday.

“I think that’s the best percentage we’ve shot all season,” Carlson said. “We’ve been working really hard on improving that. Our guards coming off the bench really upped the level of play last week. Tori (Davenport), Mollie (Kramer) and Aimee (Durbidge) are all playing really well right now. It’s the best they’ve played all year and are really changing the tempo of the game with their extra effort. It’s been awesome to see.”

Snow (8-12, 2-4) has lost two straight games — but is 4-4 on the road, compared to 1-6 at home.

Salt Lake (13-6, 4-2) visits Southern Idaho (11-10, 5-2) tonight and travels to Coeur d’Alene on Saturday at 3 p.m.

MEN: Earlier this month, NIC lost 75-74 to Salt Lake on Jan. 3, then rallied to beat Snow (8-12, 2-4) in overtime 84-77 on Jan. 5.

Salt Lake (18-2, 6-0) leads NIC by one game in the SWAC standings, with the Bruins traveling to Southern Idaho (15-6, 3-4) tonight.

“Salt Lake, we’re obviously fired up to play them, but we can’t overlook Snow,” NIC coach Jared Phay said. “Frankly, they should have beat us and we were lucky to get out of there with a win. We know they’re going to come in here and be tough.”

NIC has won four straight games since the setback to Salt Lake.

“We had them beat, but they hit some big shots down the stretch,” said Phay of Salt Lake. “They’re ranked 11th in the new polls and we’re 13th. It should be fun to see what happens with them and CSI on Thursday and should be another good one on Saturday.”