Geoducks Come Up Just Short in Season Opener
WALLA WALLA - A potential game-winning three-point attempt inside the final minute didn't fall as The Evergreen State College battled to the end Friday before succumbing to the Whitworth Pirates, 66-64, in the team's season-opening women's basketball game at the Kim Evanger Raney Classic hosted by Whitman College.
Evergreen (0-1) trailed 65-56 with 3:51 remaining before scoring eight straight points to cut its deficit to one point. They missed a free throw inside the final minute but grabbed the offensive rebound before Cherish Moss missed on her three-point try. The Geoducks got the ball back following a steal by Deidra Miller but turned the ball over themselves before Whitworth's Camy Aguinaldo hit a free throw with one second left. Evergreen was unable to get off a shot to close the game.
The Geoducks looked sharp in the opening quarter, shooting 7-for-14 from the field in building a 21-10 lead. Their field goal accuracy dipped after that, however, and they ended up shooting 39 percent overall.
Cayla Jones led the Geoducks with 18 points, followed by Jahpera McEachin with 15 and Alexcis Higginbotham with 13, while Chloee Hunt came off the bench to grab a team-high seven rebounds.
Evergreen forced 26 Whitworth turnovers, but the Pirates (3-1) enjoyed a 51-34 rebounding advantage.
The Geoducks return to action at 4 p.m. Saturday when they face the host Whitman College Blues in the tournament finale.