REDDING, Calif. – The Northwest Christian University women’s basketball team faced an 18-point deficit in the second half, but rallied behind a 33 point performance from junior Lori Renner to defeat the Simpson University Redhawks in overtime, 81-76.
The Beacons (3-1) started out hot, knocking down their first four threes. But Simpson (0-5) went on a 16-4 run and closed the half strong, capitalizing on 13 first-half turnovers from NCU. “We shot the ball well to start the game,” said head coach Liz Turner-Bolton. “After we got a lead, we started to coast and didn’t match their intensity. We need to make sure we’re playing with passion and urgency in the first half.”
Renner led the second half comeback for the Beacons. In addition to a career-high 33 points, she also brought down a game-high eleven rebounds. Down 18 points with just 15 minutes left in the game, Renner scored six straight points and then her teammates quickly followed. “Renner got us going, and then we started to follow one at a time,” said Bolton. “Katey Collins stepped up, then Aly Bruns stepped up. It was nice to watch from a coaching standpoint to see one follow after another. We had three freshmen in toward the end and it was great to see them have some success in a hostile environment.”
While NCU was forced into 29 turnovers, they caused 30 Simpson turnovers. The Beacons shot 50% (10-for-20) as a team from three-point range. Renner, Bruns, and Collins combined to shoot 63% (10-for-16) from behind the arc, including an especially clutch three by Collins in overtime. “It was a nice confidence boost for a young team,” said Bolton. “We showed that we can comeback from a big deficit, and it’s great to know we have the guts to do that this early in the season.”
After Renner’s 33, Collins added 14 points. Bruns finished with 13 points and knocked down four of six three-pointers for the Beacons. Randi Keyser came off the bench to contribute seven points and seven rebounds.
Simpson was led by Alyssa Foster, who scored 20 points with nine rebounds. Kylie Shaw had 15 points and eight rebounds, while Elizabeth Thomas added eleven. The Redhawks out-rebounded NCU 37-36.
The Beacons will travel to take on William Jessup University in Rocklin on Friday afternoon to open up play in the William Jessup Tournament. Tip-off for the game is scheduled for 4 pm.