Box Score
EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University women’s basketball led by 16 points midway through the first half, took a four-point advantage into the break, and gave up 14 straight points to open the second half, suffering a 78-69 loss to Northwest University in Cascade Conference action on Monday night.
“We did an outstanding job for about the first ten minutes,” said Head Coach Liz Turner-Bolton, “crossing passing lanes to cause turnovers, getting a lot of second-chance points, and really playing our style of game. Unfortunately we didn’t come out with any sense of urgency and really no effort at all in the second half, and that cost us.”
After Jessica Wilkerson opened the game with a three-pointer for Northwest, the Beacons got things going with a 15-1 run, taking a 15-4 lead with 15:43 to play. NCU continued to build their lead and held a 35-19 advantage with 7:33 remaining, but the Eagles soon joined the game. The Beacons were up 40-25 with five minutes left when Northwest went on a 12-0 streak to climb within three points.
Jenneca Crocker did hit a late three-pointer for the Beacons, and held a 43-39 lead at halftime. Northwest, however, continued to dominate, going on a 14-0 run to open the second half, building a 53-43 lead. All-told, NCU was outscored 35-5 over a 13-minute stretch as the Eagles built their own 15-point lead, 60-45, with 11:43 to play.
The Beacons did make a late charge to climb back to within five points, but NU connected on 7-of-9 free-throw attempts down the stretch to ice the win.
Northwest (5-5, 2-1 CCC) was led by Jessica Wilkerson’s game-high 18 points, hitting four three-pointers. The Eagles hit 12 from beyond the arc as a team, shooting 67% outside. Emily Drivstuen added 15 points off the bench while Marielle McKean came off the pine for a near double-double with nine points and ten rebounds.
The Beacons had four players in double-figures, led by 13 from Calie McVicker, adding six rebounds, and four steals. Crocker added 12 off the bench and Katie Monteith came in as a reserve to score eleven. Aly Bruns had nine points in the first half and finished with ten. Lori Renner scored nine, adding a game-high five steals. As a team, NCU finished with 19 steals.
NCU will be back in action on Tuesday evening when they play host to The Evergreen State at 5:30 pm.