Warner Pacific Rolls Past Holy Names in Home Season Debut
PORTLAND, Ore. – Warner Pacific launched their 2011-12 home schedule with a convincing 88-59 win over Holy Names in women’s basketball action tonight at C.C. Perry Gym.
It wasn’t the prettiest of games as the teams combined for 56 turnovers, but the host Knights pulled away by shooting a blistering 53 percent (32-60) from the field overall and 42 percent (6-14) from beyond the arc. The visiting Hawks could muster only 34 percent shooting and hit just 7 of 17 from the free throw line.
The game was close through the opening five minutes, with Sarah Kilewer giving HNU a 7-6 lead at the 15:15 mark. That advantage would be the only lead of the game for the Hawks, as Meaghan White scored a bucket to put WP back in front and the Knights would not trail again.
Later in the first half, HNU’s Danika Potestio drained a three pointer to cut the WP lead to 26-18, only to see the Knights rip off a 15-0 run over the next six minutes and build a 23 point lead. Warner Pacific finished the half with a 48-24 lead, the largest of the half.
Warner Pacific started the second period right where they left off, scoring the first seven points of the half and opening up their largest lead of the game at 55-24. The Hawks applied full court pressure in an attempt to climb back into the contest, and managed to trim the deficit down to 21 points (72-51) with 3:38 to play but could draw no closer. The Knights made seven of 10 free throws down the stretch to secure their first win over the year.
Kelsey Mattsen led Warner Pacific (1-1) with 21 points on 9 of 14 shooting. Three other Knights finished the game with double figure scoring including Chelsey Christensen with 16 counters. Nichole Jackson dished out 10 assists, including nine in the first period alone.
Soulijah Evans came off the bench to lead Holy Names (2-4) with 16 points. Annie Mahoney added 10 points.