Warrior Women’s Basketball Season Ends in NAIA Final 16 Defeat

3/8/2019 7:48:00 PM

Danny Day, Assistant Athletic Director - External Operations

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – A year ago, the Corban University women's basketball team had just suffered a loss in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Tournament Quarterfinals. Fast forward a year later, with a new head coach and that same squad – the Warriors found themselves playing in the NAIA National Tournament and were just one of 16 teams remaining, and despite falling to Taylor University (Ind.), 76-68, it was a season to remember.

"We ran into a very good Taylor team and battled toe to toe for 40 minutes," said Corban head coach Bill Pilgeram. "That second half showed the heart and passion of this team. They fought back and got within two possessions in the end!"

It was only the second time in program history that the Warriors were playing in the NAIA Final 16, and just the sixth time ever playing at nationals.

The first quarter started well, as Corban was hot from downtown and only trailed by one after the first 10 minutes. The second stanza saw the Warriors tighten up on the defensive end, keeping Taylor off the boards while limiting their scoring chances, resulting in a one-point lead at the break for the Navy and Gold.

The third quarter unfortunately did not go as planned for the Warriors, as that one-point lead quickly disappeared, and Taylor caught fire from deep while scoring 26 points in the 10 minutes and held Corban to just 10 points offensively.

Trailing by 15 headed into the fourth, the Warriors used a pair of three-point efforts right away to cut the deficit to just nine points, and Corban had it down to just a two-possession game late, but Taylor was absolutely clutch down the stretch at the charity stripe, finishing the game 29-for-32 at the line while sealing the victory.

For Taylor (30-4), it marks the Trojans' 22nd-straight win and 30th triumph on the campaign.

Corban was led by Jordan Woodvine with 20 points, six boards, four assists, two blocks, and a steal. Treasure Farmer and Emily Yost both had great final games with the Warriors to close out their careers, scoring 27 points between the two with Farmer going for 15 and Yost for 12.

"I'm so proud of our seniors and the legacy they are leaving," said Pilgeram. "They helped pave the road for our program for years to come. I will be a very lucky coach to be able to always coach such quality young women!"

As a team, Corban shot 43.1% overall and 36.4% from deep while going 10-for-11 from the free-throw line.

For Taylor, it was Kendall Bradbury leading the way with 27 points and 11 boards, while Abby Buchs contributed 23 points and Becca Buchs 15 points.

Corban finishes the 2018-19 campaign with a 25-10 overall record, marking the most wins in 13 years.