The NU Eagles got started early in the first half as they jumped out to a 12-2 lead on the league-leading Cavaliers, seven minutes into the game. Northwest would maintain a 7 to 8 point lead until the 6:04 mark when, leading 24-16, Concordia would go on a 5-0 run capped off by Rachel Scarpelli’s 3-pointer to pull the Cavs to within 3 points, 24-21, with 4:21 left on the clock. Northwest would then rattle off a 10-2 run of their own which ended with a Jessalyn Jackson 3-point play with her jumper and a free throw (3:23) to make the score 34-23. Freshman Domi Mendezona would make it 37-26 with her trey with 2:10 to go in the half and after a CU turnover, NU’s Erika Hornyak would sink two free throws to increase the Eagles’ lead to 13 points, 39-26, with 1:33 on the clock. Hornyak would end the first half scoring as she would drain a 3-pointer with 50 seconds to go to give NU a 42-28 lead at the half.

 

Northwest would continue to lead into the second half and would find themselves up 58-45 with 14:40 left on the clock, but the No. 18 Cavaliers would refuse to go away easily as they would slowly cut into NU’s lead and find themselves down three, 58-55, with 11:32 to go after Rachel Scarpelli hit another 3-pointer from long range. Danielle Clauson would hit her jumper and was fouled. Clauson hit the free throw to tie the score at 58-all with 10:38 left in the contest. The Eagles would then heat up and go on a 21-2 run to blow the game open punctuated by an Emily Drivstuen 3-pointer with 4:35 remaining before Concordia’s Gabi Beyer would end the Cavs’ scoring drought by dropping in two free-throws to make it, 79-62 (4:11). A layup by NU’s Kia Gibson, another Drivstuen trey, and a 3-pointer by teammate Brittney Marshall would give NU their largest lead of the game, 86-64, with 2:31 to go in the game. CU would hit the final 7 seven points of the game as Northwest would earn their 13^th win of the season and improve their CCC mark to 7-2.

 

In addition to Jackson’s double-double, Northwest U. (13-5, 7-2 CCC) senior Kia Gibson added 15 points and 9 rebounds; Emily Drivstuen dropped in 12 points and senior Erika Hornyak contributed 10 points for the Eagles who shot a blistering 52.5% from the field, 53% from 3-point range and 79% from the free-throw line. NU out rebounded Concordia, 44-24, including 12 offensive rebounds. The Eagles also registered 21 assists on the night with Hornyak dishing out 7 of them.

 

Rachel Scarpelli led Concordia (15-6, 7-2 CCC) with her 22 points while teammates Danielle Clauson added 15 points, and Courtney May contributed 13 points for the Cavaliers. The Cavs were limited to 36.5% shooting from 2-point range and 30% from the 3-point line. CU made good 87% of their free-throws hitting 20 of 23 from the charity stripe.

 

“Before the game tonight, we talked about just enjoying the opportunity to play for first place in the conference,” said NU head coach Lori Napier. “I think the kids just showed they love playing basketball together and the result took care of itself.”