T-Birds Overcome Slow Start, Defeat NCU
BOX SCORE
PORTLAND, Ore. - Despite a cold shooting start and a ten point half-time deficit, Cascade earned a 77-66 win over Northwest Christian to open conference play tonight at the Thunderdome.
A 2 for 18 start from the field by the T-Birds allowed NCU to forge a 13-2 lead seven minutes into the contest. The Beacons' Jenneca Crocker was a major reason for the advantage as she hit 4 three pointer in the period and 14 points total in the first 20 minutes.
Cascade managed to fight back within 5 points on two occasions in the half, the latest with 2:12 to play. A 7-2 run to close the half capped by a Crocker trey gave the visitors a 39-29 lead going into the locker rooms. "We just were out of sync offensively in the first half," said head coach Matt Murphy. "Luckily Meagan Stanley (6 points, 2 rebounds) gave us a big lift off the bench to keep us close."
The second half started ominously for the hosts as NCU moved out to their largest lead of the game at 14 on a McKenzie Gambee layin at 18:03. The T-Birds proceeded to go on a 13-0 run thanks to increased pressure and four Beacon turnovers. Kristina Schumacher scored 17 of her 29 points in the period to spark Cascade.
Cascade took the lead for good at 48-47 with 11:03 to play on a Schumacher layup and would not look back, outscoring NCU 48-27 in the half.
Schumacher finished with 29 points and 4 assists. Amy Russell added 14 points, and Karli Thomas and Maya Gross each 9 rebounds to lead Cascade in that category.
Crocker led the Beacons with 14 points, all in the first half. Gambee posted a double-double (14 points 10 rebounds), while Elise Gray added 12 counters.