Corban jumped out early as the young Warriors, with only one senior on the roster,  took a 15-8 lead eight minutes into the first half capped off by a jumper by Katie Steigleman in the paint. The Warriors scored inside on Northwest as they found gaps in the defense to attack. With Corban leading 21-18 at the 6:53 mark, Jessica Wilkerson drove into the paint, scored and was fouled. She dropped in her free throw to make it a three points play and even the score at 21-21. Northwest took a brief lead on a 3-pointer by Emily Drivstuen and a jumper in the lane by Wilkerson to make it, 26-21, NU with 6:25 to go in the half. Another trey by Drivstuen would increase NU’s lead to 29-23, and two free throws by Alyssa Welk would make it 31-25 with 4:44 left in the half. But back would come the Warriors as they chipped away at the Eagles’ lead. Jennesa Miller would bring Corban to within two points, 33-31 at the 3:21 mark. With Northwest up 35-33 with 2:20 remaining, Corban would go on a 5-0 run to end the half as Jennesa Miller’s offensive tip in with 35 seconds to go would give Corban a 38-35 lead at the halfway mark.

 

Corban would lead the entire second half as each time Northwest would make a push, the Warriors would answer. Corban biggest lead would come six minutes into the half as Katie Steigleman driving layup would put the Warriors up by 14 points, 57-43. Corban would maintain about a ten point pad until the 6:07 mark when Jessica Wilkerson would drain a 3-pointer from the left side to pull NU to within one point, 67-66. NU would stay within striking distance, but Corban would slowly pull away once again as Monique Tribble’s two free throws and jumper would increase Corban’s lead to 7 points, 77-70, with 2:18 left in the game. Corban would close out the game going 11 for 12 from the free throw line as the Warriors would earn a trip to the semi finals and win their sixth game in eight attempts.

 

Senior Jessica Wilkerson (Issaquah, Wash.) led Northwest (17-10, 13-5 CCC) with a game high 34 points and sophomore Jessalyn Jackson (Vancouver, Wash.) scored 17 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. The Eagles played without starter McKenzie McKean who sat out tonight’s contest after suffering an ankle sprain in the game against the College of Idaho on Saturday night. Corban’s defense held NU to 27% shooting in the second half and Northwest U. was out rebounded 49-46 by the Warriors.

 

In addition to Steigleman, three other Corban (8-10, 14-17) players were in double figures tonight with junior Jennesa Miller (Mica, Wash.) leading the way with 21 points. Emily Tsugawa (Fresh., Gladstone, Ore.) dropped in 15 points including 9 for 11 from the free throw line and teammate and freshman Tess Bennett (Sutherlin, Ore.) scored 12 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Steigleman added 9 rebounds to her totals. The Warriors shot 41% for the game and 82% from the free throw line.

 

Corban will now travel to LaGrande, Oregon on Friday, Feb. 26 to play Eastern Oregon Univ. in the conference tournament semi final at 7:30 p.m. For the Eagles, it's the end of one of their best seasons in seven years.