Northwest U's Charity Degman dives for a loose ball
Knights Foil Eagles Comeback Attempt
KIRKLAND, Wash. – Warner Pacific held off a late comeback attempt by Northwest University for a 68-57 Cascade Conference victory tonight. Warner Pacific built a 20 point, 34-14 halftime lead.
Northwest U would shoot just 20 percent in the opening half as the Knights opened up a 19-6 lead in the first 13 minutes of the period. Daesha Jackson and Kyeli Hendryx led the way for Warner Pacific with 10 first half points each as WPC would take a 20 point lead at the half.
Warner Pacific would maintain their lead for most of the second half as Lindsay Loe’s jumper at the 10:59 mark would give the Knights a 19 points lead, 44-25. But Northwest U would slowly chip away at the WPC lead and Kristen Frey’s 3-pointer with 2:52 to go would make it a 6 point game, 58-52. Northwest would cut the WPC lead to 6 one more time, but leading 60-54 with 1:24 on the clock, the Knights would be perfect from the foul line as they would hit all eight free throws to close out the game for the win.
Jordan Asher led Northwest U (9-9, 2-6 CCC) with 20 points and Charity Degman added 14 points and 9 rebounds for the Eagles. NU’s shooting improved in the second half as they shot 41 percent and hit 76 percent of their free throws (13-17).
Three Knights scored in double figures for WPC: Daesha Jackson 18 points, Kyeli Hendryx 16 points and Jordan Wilcox 13 points. Lindsay Loe led the Knights with 11 rebounds as WPC won the battle of the backboards with a narrow 43-42 edge in rebounding. Warner Pacific hit 20 of 28 from the free throw line for 71 percent.
Both teams continue Cascade Conference play on Saturday as Northwest U will host Concordia of Portland and Warner Pacific travels to Evergreen in Olympia.