FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Three Beacons landed in double figures as the Northwest Christian University women’s basketball team beat Pacific University by a final of 69-59 on Wednesday evening. With the win NCU improved to 6-0 on the young season.
NCU’s strong play inside proved to be the difference as they scored 38 points in the paint while blocking eight shots and out-rebounding the Boxers 54-32. The Beacons capitalized on their work on the offensive boards by scoring 24 second chance points. Both teams shot just under 37% in the game.
Northwest Christian opened the game with threes from Niki Duncan and Janae Turner to jump out to a quick six-point lead. Following that the two sides went back-and-forth throughout the first half, with the lead changing hands three times.
The Beacons came out from the intermission with another six-point run and got their advantage up to 12 at one point in the third period. The Boxers came alive in the fourth, shooting 50% and tying the score at just under 7 minutes to go. NCU again took control with eight unanswered before finishing off their second road victory in as many nights
Katerina Brejchova notched a double-double for the Beacons, scoring 13 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Brejchova was three-for-four from the field and seven-of-eight from the line. Freshman Anamaria Virjoghe and Morgan McKinney each had 15 points to lead the Beacons in scoring. Virjoghe added on seven rebounds and three blocks, while McKinney had four boards and two steals in her 23 minutes. Connor Boirgo also played a big role coming off the bench with nine points and eight rebounds.
Megan Wesel led Pacific Union (0-4) in scoring with a game-high 18. Forward Alexa Hinkley had 14 points and all three of the Boxers blocks.
Northwest Christian next plays on Saturday, November 25 when the return home to host Simpson University. The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. tip in the Morse Event Center.