On Wednesday night, the Salish Kootenai College Lady Bison added a new color to their warm-ups. As they prepared for the game, the team sported long sleeved shirts with a green ribbon in the place of the O in Bison. On the back, in green letters, were the words “No Bison fights alone.”

As part of Founder’s Week on the SKC campus, Wednesday was cancer awareness day. The events of the day included a Bison stomp out cancer stampede, a benefit dinner, and a silent auction.

The Indian taco benefit and the silent auction were fundraisers that went to a special place. The proceeds were split between the Cheerful Heart Cancer organization, and the college’s president, Robert DePoe III. DePoe is currently fighting a type of liver cancer.

Lady Bison head coach Juan Perez said he had the idea to do something for cancer awareness a few months ago. Eventually he got together with Niki Graham at the Center for Prevention and Wellness on campus and they put the night together.

Perez said the team wanted to let President DePoe, and others affected by cancer, know that the team was thinking of them. “President DePoe has been very supportive for us. We just wanted to let him know we were thinking of him and that he’s with us while we play.”

Before the game, many gathered for the benefit. Lining the walls of the entrance to the gym were booths with information about cancer. One was full of breast cancer awareness gear. Another had ribbons of all different colors representing types of cancer.

Before the National Anthem, a moment of silence was observed for those who lost their battle to cancer. Throughout the game, Silas Perez told the crowd facts about cancer. At halftime, 20 fans participated in a trivia game about cancer for a prize.

The taco benefit dinner served about 400 people. Perez said that he was happy with the turnout, and that he hopes to make the event a yearly tradition.

In their first game of the weekend, the Lady Bison played Little Bighorn College. After a slow start in the first half, the Bison picked up the pace and scored 30 points in the third quarter on the way to a 90-79 win. The Bison were led by LaTydia Holiday, who had 35 points, including 17 in the third quarter.

The team had two more games during the weekend. No scores were reported.

The men’s team also played twice during the tournament that they hosted. In the first, they defeated the Montana Western JV team by a score of 86-78. Bradley Fryberg lead the scoring with 19 points, all scored in first half. Aquino Brinson and Sherman Redtomahawk followed with 17 points apiece. Zack Mills lead the team in rebounding with 10 boards. As a team SKC had 20 assists and Aquino accounted for six of those. In their other game of the weekend, the Bison defeated the UGF JV by a score of 116-106. Zack Mills had an outstanding game with 47 points and 14 rebounds. Sherman Redtomahawk had 20 points and J’Von Smith lead the team with five assists. As a team they had 15 assists.

SKC – 14 20 30 26 - 90

LBHC – 24 14 23 18 - 79

SKC- Shanelle SkunkCap 4, Violet Pablo 2, Cecelia Koskella 10, LaTydia Holiday 35, Kayla Johnson 13, Coco Moore 3, Sky Whiteman 2, Ver Whiteman 2, Hannah Bryson 2, Leigha Onco 3, Mataya Newhall 4, Tevine Whitcomb 6