Everybody scored for Corban on Friday night in the CCC win over Northwest. Click 'Play' Button on photo for video highlights. (Photo Credit: Doug Pfeiler)
SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University women’s basketball team used a total-team effort on Friday evening en route to defeating the Northwest University Eagles, 71-54. For the Warriors, all 13 players who played in the game finished with at least one point, solidifying the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) victory.
The Warriors got off to a quick start, scoring on a number of early opportunities. Senior center Tara Van Weerdhuizen (Spokane, Wash.) scored four early points, and defensively, the Warriors were stifling, forcing a couple of Eagle turnovers within the first three minutes of the game.
Northwest responded however, and by the 16:26 mark, the game was tied at 8-8. Corban senior center Danielle Vanderstoel (Salem, Ore.) answered back for Corban, nailing a jumper for the Warriors.
One of the keys to the contest early on was Corban’s aggressiveness, as the Warriors forced the Eagles to commit a number of fouls, putting the Navy and Gold into the bonus by the 14-minute mark. Junior guard Heidi Eckmann (Anchorage, Alaska) continued to attack the basket for Corban, ultimately getting to the free-throw line and sinking two from the stripe to extend the Warriors’ lead.
Sophomore guard Sadie Pilgeram (Helena, Mont.) then drained a shot from distance for Corban, giving the Warriors a 21-12 advantage. With the game continuing at a frantic pace on both ends, Northwest (10-10, 3-7 CCC) pulled back a few baskets, but once again, the Warriors had the answer with Vanderstoel scoring inside and sophomore forward Payton Wilcox (Salem, Ore.) penetrating the Eagles’ defense, hitting three-straight jumpers.
Late in the first stanza, the Warriors remained relentless in their attack of the basket, and junior guard Jade Lowery (Oregon City, Ore.) sank another free throw for Corban. Wilcox did not let up either, as she was on-point from beyond the arc, making a three-pointer for the Navy and Gold.
At the halftime break, Corban led 43-22. During the first 20 minutes, the Warriors shot 40.0% from the field, while Northwest shot at just a 30.0% clip. Corban’s free-throw advantage proved to be huge, as the Warriors went 13-of-18 from the line, while the Eagles went just 2-for-6 from the charity stripe.
In the second stanza, Van Weerdhuizen started similarly to how she began the game, scoring on consecutive buckets inside for the Navy and Gold.
Senior guard Haley Holboke (Vancouver, Wash.) came off the bench early on for Corban and made a shot from downtown, and then junior guard Chris Carlson (Silver Lake, Wash.) followed that up with a three-pointer of her own, extending the lead to 25 points at 57-32.
Van Weerdhuizen continued her dominance inside for Corban, scoring on another strong take to the rack with her left hand. By the eight-minute mark, Corban led 66-41.
For the remainder of the contest, the Warriors used a total-team effort defensively and offensively, closing out the CCC contest for the 17-point win.
“We had a nice start, but then they tied us up at 8-8, and we took off again and kept good pressure through the half and continued to do so halfway through the second half,” said head coach Dave Bale. “The nine players who get playing time on a consistent basis were joined by the other four to make it a real team effort. Everyone scored which is nice to see.”
As a team, the Warriors shot 41.1% overall from the field (23-for-56) and 70.0% from the free-throw line (21-for-30). On the other side, the Eagles registered a 35.0% shooting mark (21-for-60) while only getting to the charity stripe 10 times, further illustrating Corban’s aggressiveness throughout the evening.
Individually, Wilcox led the Way for the Navy and Gold with a game-high 16 points and seven rebounds. Van Weerdhuizen finished the evening with 14 points and four blocks, while Lowery and Vanderstoel tallied seven points apiece.
Wilcox talked about the game following the win in a post-game interview.
For Northwest, it was Jenna Lewis who scored a team-best 14 points for the Eagles.
Corban (13-9, 7-3 CCC) returns to action tomorrow evening when it hosts The Evergreen State College (11-6, 5-5 CCC). Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.