NU's freshman guard Domi Mendezona.
Northwest Earns Victory Over Knights
KIRKLAND, Wash. - Northwest University pulled out a closely contested game as they defeated Warner Pacific College, 81-73, tonight in Cascade Conference play and in a game that saw 4 ties and 19 lead changes.
Northwest U. would pull out to a 19-15 first half lead after Jessalyn Jackson made two free throws and followed it in the next possession by draining a short jumper with 7 minutes left in the half. Warner Pacific would battle back and cut the Eagles’ lead to a single point, 21-20, as Cameryn Calhoun would drill a 3-pointer from the wing. After an NU miscue, Calhoun would give WPC the lead, 24-23, as she would drain two free throws after being fouled. After two more lead changes and a 26-26 tie, Northwest would go on a 7-3 run to go up, 33-29, with 1:11 to go until the half. Two free throws by WPC’s Miranda Holenstein would end the scoring for the half as Northwest would take a narrow, 33-31 halftime lead.
The second half would continue to be a see-saw battle which would see two ties and 12 lead changes. NU’s Emily Drivstuen would give the Eagles a 52-48 lead with her 3-pointer, but a 7-2 run by the Knights would give Warner Pac a 55-54 lead with 10:21 to go. WPC would find themselves leading 62-58 at the 7:11 mark, but a layup in the post by Kia Gibson and a steal by Domi Medenzona and layup would knot the score at 62-all. Northwest would take the lead and built it to seven, 71-64 with 2:06 remaining and the Eagles would go 8 for 9 from the free throw line in the final minute to earn their 12th victory of the season.
Five Northwest U. (12-5, 6-2 CCC) players scored in double figures for the Eagles with senior Brittney Marshall (Snohomish, Wash.) leading the way with her 16 points and 5 assists. Junior Jessalyn Jackson (Vancouver, Wash.) followed with a double-double on the night with 15 points and 14 rebounds while teammates Emily Drivstuen (Monroe, Wash.) and senior Kia Gibson (Spokane, Wash.) each contributed 14 points and freshman guard Domi Mendezona (Issaquah, Wash.) dropped in 10 for the Eagles who shot 47% on the night. NU held the edge in rebounding with a 45-32 advantage.
Warner Pacific (10-8, 4-4 CCC) was led by Cameryn Calhoun’s 20 points, 7 assists and 5 steals. Miranda Holstein scored 19 points and Katie Smith added 14 points for the Knights. WPC hit 42% of their shots, 35% from the 3-point line and made good 74% of their free throws (14-19).
"We executed the game plan very well tonight," commented Eagle coach Lori Napier. "We were disciplined and everyone played an important part in the victory."
The Eagles take to the court Saturday night as they play host to league-leading and #18 Concordia in a crucial match up. Concordia sits atop the CCC with a 7-1 record with NU right behind them in second place with a 6-2 mark. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.