EUGENE, Ore. – A layup with two seconds remaining sent the Northwest Christian University women’s basketball team to an 85-83 loss against the University of Providence on Friday night in the opening game of the Northwest University Tournament.
Sophomore Morgan McKinney (pictured) had tied the game with her own layup just seven seconds earlier, completing what had been a 12-point fourth-quarter comeback only to see the win slip away.
The Beacons shot 55% from the field in the game and went 19-for-23 at the free-throw line, but it wouldn’t be enough to counter eight three-pointers and a 31-24 rebounding advantage for the Argonauts.
NCU (0-1) was led by McKinney, scoring a career-high 35 points as she shot 13-for-22 from the field and hit a trio of three-pointers. It was the second-highest point total in school history and the most in nearly ten years when Emily Gray set the record (38) on November 11, 2008.
Conner Borigo also had an impressive night in the paint, shooting 10-for-14 for 20 points and junior Shanay Dotson made her Beacon debut with ten points, three assists and two steals.
“Boy did we ever play hard,” said first-year head coach Chad Meadors, making his NCU coaching debut. “We played a really good team and competed like crazy and had a shot. We executed great down the stretch, but we have a lot to learn. This is a new team together with a new coach still trying to figure out everything, so there will be some mistakes along the way. To be there at the end of the game was a great spot to be in to grow and get better. The fight is there and we are definitely on the right track.”
Providence (2-0) was led by Emilee Maldonado, scoring 28 points including the game-winning layup. She hit five three-pointers and added eight assists and three steals. Parker Esary contributed 20 points as she hit 10 of her 12 field goal tries.
The Beacons will look to bounce back on Saturday evening as they take on Montana State Northern (0-1).