Lions Make History with First Conference Win Over Walla Walla
COLLEGE POINT, Wash. – In a historic night for the Lions, the Multnomah University women's basketball team put a spot to a six game losing streak, defeating Walla Walla University 74-56 for the program's first ever Cascade Collegiate Conference win on Thursday night.
With the win, MU improves to 3-9 overall and 1-3 in the CCC while the Wolves drop to 0-8, 0-3 CCC.
Junior point guard
Miranda Schmillen earned her first double-double on the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds as the Lions took control of the game in a hurry, securing the first five points off the night. Freshman
Ana Wakefield led her team with a career high 14 points while shooting 4-of-6 from behind the arc as MU took a 15-point lead, 30-15 after the first quarter.
"It is very exciting to be able to get that first CCC/NAIA win. We shot the ball well tonight and everyone was able to contribute - so it is a great way to go into the break," said head coach
Tim Bieri.
Down by 23-points, the Wolves kept in the fight during the second quarter with the help of Lauren Pernu who finished with a game high 18 points. Using a 20-5 run, Walla Walla brought the game to eight points, 43-35, before ending the first half with a score of 46-35.
Karissa Cox finished with 11 points followed by
Valerie Wakefield with nine points.
The Lions took their largest lead of the second with just over a minute to go in the game, 74-54. MU earned 16 second chance points to WWU's six along with a 22-7 advantage in points off turnovers to earn their first conference win.
The Lions will take a small break before continue conference play on the road at Southern Oregon on Wednesday, Dec. 30.