Sadie Pilgeram scored 18 points in Corban's win over C of I on Saturday. (Photo Credit: Doug Pfeiler)
SALEM, Ore. – Thanks to a total team effort on Saturday evening in the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center, the Corban University women's basketball team registered a 69-63 triumph over the College of Idaho Yotes, earning the weekend split. For Corban, it was its first Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) victory of the 2015-16 campaign.
"The ladies were determined to put a major effort in for all 40 minutes and we did," said Corban University head women's basketball coach Dave Bale. "The battle on the boards was a major reason for our success, and it was a priority tonight to battle. Jade, Sadie, and Payton scored the points, but all the ladies contributed."
In the first quarter, both the Yotes and Warriors went toe-to-toe in a back-and-forth stanza, with Corban shooting 41.2% and C of I shooting 33.3% from the floor. The Warriors held the slight edge at the end of the opening period, 17-14, and both sides hit a trio of three-pointers to start the game strong from deep.
The Yotes surged ahead in the second quarter with 25 points and a number of key baskets from Petra Lumpert, taking a 39-36 lead into the break.
In the second half, Corban used a huge third quarter, outscoring the Yotes by 11 points to take a commanding eight-point advantage heading into the fourth, and from there, the Warriors closed out the game well, finishing strong and securing the CCC triumph. Junior forward Payton Wilcox (Salem, Ore.) had a pair of big buckets down the stretch, leading Corban to the win.
Corban senior guard Jade Lowery (Oregon City, Ore.) led all scorers with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Warrior junior forward Sadie Pilgeram (Helena, Mont.) totaled 18 points and seven boards. Corban held the significant advantage on the glass all evening long, registering a 49-34 edge while racking up 16 offensive boards.
Also contributing big offensively was Wilcox with 17 points, and she just missed out on a double-double with nine rebounds.
For C of I (2-8, 1-3 CCC), it was Kiara Skinner tallying a team-high 18 points, while Lumpert totaled 12 points for the Yotes. As a team, C of I shot 39.4% from the field and 32.3% from downtown. Corban was slightly more efficient overall, shooting 40.0% from the field and 36.0% from beyond the arc.
Corban (5-7, 1-3 CCC) returns to the hardwood on Tuesday when it hosts Northwest Christian University. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.