Resounding Win in Evergreen Women's Opener
OLYMPIA - With three players contributing double-doubles in points and rebounds, The Evergreen State College opened its 2014-15 women's basketball season in impressive fashion on Saturday night with an 86-44 victory over the Walla Walla University Wolves.
LaNiecia Weatherspoon had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Brittany Gray 19 points and 14 rebounds, and Sadee Jones 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Geoducks to the victory. Michaela Garcia had 21 points for the Wolves, who are now 0-4 this season.
The game was never close as Evergreen scored the first 10 points before Garcia finally hit a three-point basket about five minutes into the game. Walla Walla pulled to within four points at 14-10 before the Geoducks started pulling away with pressure defense and an up tempo offense. The Wolves committed 12 of ther 23 turnovers in the opening half and shot just 27 percent on 6-for-22 from the field against Evergreen.
On the other end of the floor the Geoducks found their way inside the lane for a number of close-in baskets, leading to 53 percent shooting on 19-for-36 shooting. Jones was especially impressive in the opening half with 15 of her points. By the intermission the Geoducks had built a 43-21 lead.
Evergreen's lead was in the 30s for most of the second half until a layup by Sarah Quantz made the score 82-42 with 1:04 to play.
Everyone on the Evergreen bench played at least 11 minutes. The Geoducks shot 51 percent (36-for-70) for the game and had a decisive 54-28 rebounding advantage. Walla Walla shot just 26 percent overall (14-for-53).
In addition to Garcia's 21 points, Lauren Pernu contributed 10 points and eight rebounds for the Wolves.
Evergreen returns to action at 5 p.m. Tuesday when it hosts Saint Martin's in an exhibition game.