Sadie Pilgeram scored 21 points and nabbed 11 boards in the win. (Photo Credit: Doug Pfeiler)
SALEM, Ore. – Thanks to big third and fourth quarters on Thursday evening, the Corban University women’s basketball team came from behind to defeat non-conference Division III opponent, Lewis & Clark College, 73-65. For Corban, it was its second home contest of the year, and the win keeps the Warriors’ home record unblemished at two wins and no losses.
“It took a great effort in the second half to ignite us again and it was a good effort overall by the ladies,” said Corban head coach Dave Bale. “We just seem to be starting a little bit slow, but the gals did a great job clamping down defensively. We also shot the ball the way we have been shooting in practice.”
Corban had a tough time finding its offensive rhythm during the first two quarters, and at the half, trailed 37-29.
In the second half, Warrior junior forward Sadie Pilgeram (Helena, Mont.) came out firing, nailing a pair of three-pointers right away to begin the period. Later in the stanza, another long-range effort from Pilgeram brought Corban to within two points, and then Warrior freshman guard Lindsay Asplund (Battle Ground, Wash.) converted on a fast-break layup, tying the contest at 48-48.
Corban senior guard Heidi Eckmann (Anchorage, Alaska) got in on the three-point barrage, sinking one of her own to push Corban in front by three points, and ultimately, Corban never trailed again in the contest.
The fourth stanza saw both sides compete hard, but it was a layup from Corban senior guard Julia Young (Snohomish, Wash.) that put the Navy and Gold in front for good at 65-63, leading the Warriors to the eventual eight-point non-conference triumph.
“Sadie did a great job of hitting her outside shots, and Jade did a great job of finding the open person tonight, and the girls did a good job of making their shots, resulting in the positive outcome,” said Bale.
On the night, Pilgeram tied her career high with 21 points while also nabbing a team-best 11 boards. She was very efficient from the field, making 8-of-12 shots overall, including five three-pointers. Additionally, junior forward Payton Wilcox (Salem, Ore.) scored 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting to go with six rebounds. Moreover, both Lowery and Young added 13 points for Corban, with Lowery serving as the distributor on the night, dishing out eight assists.
As a team, Corban shot 45.0% from the field and 80.0% from the charity stripe. Defensively, Corban held the Pioneers (0-3) to just a 40.3% effort shooting and a 35.3% mark from beyond the mark.
Corban (2-3) returns to the hardwood on Saturday when it travels to Portland to take on former Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) foe, Concordia University, in non-conference showdown. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.