Cavs even conference mark with 83-72 win against NCU
PORTLAND, Ore. – Janae Klarich (Granger, Wash./Granger H.S.) had 14 points and 10 assists as the Concordia University women snapped a five-game losing streak with an 83-72 win over visiting Northwest Christian University Friday night.
The loss was the seventh in eight games for Northwest Christian (5-9, 1-5 CCC), who kept pace with the Cavaliers in the first 20 minutes before the hosts' crisp passing and torrid 3-point shooting finally proved too much to overcome.
Concordia (8-6, 3-3 CCC) started the game with a pair of 3-point makes and continued to look for shots from long distance the remainder of the first half. The Cavs shot 7 of14 from beyond the arc in the period, but were largely matched by the Beacons, who hit 5 of12 from distance and methodically worked the ball into the paint when other options weren't available.
After a 19-19 tie, Concordia's offense began to pose problems with several second-chance opportunities, leading to a 43-36 advantage at the break.
The second half started much in the same fashion, as the Cavaliers continued to find – and make – 3-pointers. Concordia maintained a double-digit lead for more than eight minutes and continued its share the ball, racking up 20 assists for the game along with 18 second-chance points.
After trailing by as many as 13, Northwest managed to cut the lead to six at 77-71 with two minutes to play, but Concordia successfully navigated the Beacons' press to close out the contest.
Six Cavaliers scored in double figures, led by
Sierra Dean (Tacoma, Wash./Curtis H.S.)'s 19. Klarich had 14, while
Jordyn Peacock (Beaverton, Ore./Southridge H.S.),
Lexi Campbell (Brentwood, Calif./Heritage H.S.) and
Briannah Smith (San Francisco, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral) each had 12. Peacock also tallied seven rebounds and six blocks in a solid all-around game, while Smith added eight rebounds. For the game Concordia shot 45 percent from the field and 47 percent from 3-point range.
Northwest Christian was led by Chandler Gabrio, who finished with 17 points. Melyssa Weber (16 points), Sami Pitts (12) and Andrea Gloss (11) also scored in double digits for the Beacons. NWCU shot 42 percent for the game but couldn't keep up with the Cavaliers despite a 20-2 advantage at the foul line.
Northwest Christian next plays at Warner Pacific in Portland on Jan. 10 at 5:30 p.m. Concordia plays Corban at home 5:30 on Jan. 10.