NU's Kia Gibson finished with a game high 23 points.
NU in CCC Lead With Victory Over Corban
SaLEM, Ore.- The Northwest University Eagles held off a second half comeback by the Corban Warriors and earned an 81-71 victory in the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center tonight. With the win, coupled with Concordia's loss to Warner Pacific, Northwest U. is in sole possession of first place in the CCC.
NU jumped out to a 14-8 lead in the first 6 minutes of the game after a 3-pointer by Emily Drivstuen and layup by Domi Mendezona. The Eagles would lead the entire half, building a 40-28 lead with 45 seconds to go in the half and would take a 40-31 lead into the locker room as Corban's Emily Tsugawa would hit one of two free throws to end the scoring for the half.
In the second half, it looked as though NU might have an easy path to their 14th victory as they would lead 46-35 as Domi Mendezona would convert a layup with 17:22 on the clock, but the Warriors would go on a 9-0 run to cut the Eagles' lead to two, 46-44 on Katie Steigleman's layup at the 15:24 mark. After NU would make it 48-44, Corban would go on another run and out score NU, 8-2, to take a 52-50 lead punctuated by Becky Buhler's basket with 12:42 remaining in the game. Two minutes later, NU's Kia Gibson would tie the game at 58-all and the Eagles would regain the lead, 60-58, on Jessalyn Jackson's post move as NU would take the lead for good with 9:50 to go in the game. Corban's Jennesa Miller would bring the Warriors to within two points, 69-67, but NU would go on a 4-0 run to go up, 73-67, at the 3:16 mark. Corban would get no closer as the Eagles would convert 3 of 6 free throws to close out the game.
Senior Kia Gibson led all scorers with a game high 23 points for Northwest U. (14-5, 8-2 CCC). Jessalyn Jackson recorded her 9th double-double of the year with her 15 point, 14 rebound performance and senior Brittney Marshall added 15 points and 7 assists for the Eagles. NU shot 55.6% for the game and 81% from the free throw line (17-21). Northwest also held the edge in rebounding, 40-31.
Corban (11-9, 6-4 CCC) had four players in double figures led by Jennesa Miller's 15 points and 7 rebounds. Emily Tsugawa scored 14 points and handed out 5 assists, and teammates Tess Bennett and Becky Buhler each scored 13 points for the Warriors who shot 38%for the night. CU hit 40% of their 3-ppint shots (8-20) and shot 68% from the charity stripe.
Northwest U. now travels to Eugene for a Saturday night game with Northwest Christian and Corban entertains the Evergreen State College in the Jeffers Sports Center. Both games are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. tip offs.