Northwest's Jessica Wilkerson scored 29 points in the Eagles' victory.
Wilkerson's 29 Powers NU Over Evergreen State
KIRKLAND, Wash. – Northwest University, led by Jessica Wilkeron's 29 points, overcame an early deficit to defeat the Evergreen State College, 73-68, in Cascade Conference play tonight and improve their record to 4-1 in league play and into a 3-way tie for the league lead.
With Evergreen leading early 11-4 three minutes and 29 seconds into the first half, Northwest began whittling away ESC’s lead and NU’s Marielle McKean’s free throw with 14:33 to go in the half pulled the Eagles to within one, 11-10. Evergreen State would take the lead once again briefly, but it was McKean’s two free throws that would give Northwest U. the lead for good (14-13 at the 12:38 mark in the half. The game would be tight until Emily Drivstuen’s layup would give NU a 25-19 lead with 8:30 to go until halftime. ESC would battle back and tie the contest at 26-all on Jasmine Horton’s jumper but NU’s Jessica Wilkerson would answer with her 3-pointer to put NU back into the lead, 29-26, at the 5:34 mark. Marielle McKean’s driving layup would give NU their biggest lead of the half, 38-28 with 1:12 left on the clock. Jessalyn Jackson would score with 40 seconds to go in the half to give NU a 40-28 lead at the break.
Northwest would maintain their lead as the second half got underway and a trey by the eagles’ Jessica Wilkerson would give NU a 14 point bulge with 15:28 to go. Wilkerson would put NU up by 17 points, 61-44, with another 3-pointer, but Evergreen State would not go away as they began chipping away at the NU lead and Katie Garcin’s jumper would pull ESC to within 9 points, 69-60, with 3:29 left in the game. Evergreen State would get to within 4 points, 70-66 with 53 ticks left on the clock on Latrina Woods’ free throw, but NU would clinch their 8th victory of the season as Marielle McKean would sink one free throw and Jessica Wilkerson would drop another one in with 3 seconds left for the Eagle win.
Senior Jessica Wilkerson led Northwest U. (8-5, 4-1 CCC) with 29 points and 3 assists. Marielle McKean contributed 11 points and 6 rebounds and teammate and sister, McKenzie McKean, scored 10 points for the Eagles who shot 43% for the game from 2-point range and 50% (8-16) from beyond the 3-point arc.
Evergreen State (5-11, 1-4 CCC) was led by Ali Matisons’ 13 points while Angel Stewart dropped in 11 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Latrina Woods and Alex Saab each scored 10 points a piece for the Geoducks who shot 44% on the night. ESC out rebounded NU 34-27 including 11 offensive boards.