Maci Benedict scored 15 points for Corban in the double-overtime defeat. (Photo Credit: Doug Pfeiler)
SALEM, Ore. – Despite having a chance to win the game on multiple opportunities on Wednesday night, the Corban University women's basketball team was unable to convert, and ultimately fell to the (RV) Northwest Christian University Beacons in double overtime, 81-78.
"Wow what a game," said Corban head coach Michelle Skyles. "A game played by two teams that didn't want to give up and fought to the end. We had our chances and just couldn't close the game. NCU is a very well-coached team and their players made plays down the stretch."
Down by two points with 19 seconds remaining in regulation, Sadie Pilgeram registered a pivotal steal to give the Warriors a shot at tying or winning the game. After a missed layup, Payton Wilcox grabbed the offensive board, drove the baseline and finished with a nifty reverse layup to tie the contest at 64-64 with less than five seconds left on the clock. NCU was unable to make a game-winner at the buzzer, sending the contest to overtime.
In the first overtime stanza, the Warriors once again rallied to come back and tied the contest on a Maddey Pflaumer jumper with 42 seconds left. After the Beacons turned the ball over with 10 seconds remaining, Corban had a chance to win the contest, but a turnover with four seconds remaining sent the game to a second overtime.
In that second overtime, NCU's Kenzie Weston blocked Maci Benedict's game-tying attempt with two seconds remaining, and the Beacons would go on to win by three points.
"We were able to take away their three-point game, but were not able to stop their penetration," said Skyles. "We missed too many layups and free throws, but across the stat sheet, we won a lot of categories, which makes losing a double overtime game even tougher."
As a team, NCU shot 49.2% from the field, while Corban shot 44.6% from the floor. Corban made eight three-pointers while the Beacons made seven from deep. Katerina Brejchova led the way with 19 points for NCU in the win on an 8-for-15 shooting effort, while Jeni Hoffert totaled 16 points in the double overtime win.
For Corban, Pflaumer scored 19 points on a 9-for-15 shooting mark while Sadie Pilgeram tallied 18 points with four long-range efforts finding their way through the cylinder. Also hitting double figures was Maci Bendict with 15 points and six assists, while Wilcox totaled 13 points and 13 boards, including nine offensive rebounds in the defeat.
"It was a battle tonight," said Skyles. "I am super proud of our team for not laying down when we got behind. If we learn from tonight, it will make us better. I hope that is what we choose to do."
Corban (12-9, 6-7 CCC) returns to the court on Friday afternoon when it hosts Walla Walla University. Tipoff is set for an early start time at 12:30 p.m.