Corban hands Concordia 66-55 home loss
PORTLAND, Ore. – A strong defensive effort helped the visiting Corban University women's basketball team build a big first-half they never relinquished, leading to a 66-55 win over Concordia University on Saturday night.
Tara Van Weerdhuizen led the way with 20 points and 14 rebounds while anchoring a Warriors defense that held the host Cavaliers to 19 percent shooting and a mere 16 points in the first half. Corban (11-8, 5-2 CCC) jumped out to a 14-0 lead early and never looked back, despite shooting only 36 percent in the period.
Concordia (8-7, 3-4 CCC) missed its first 13 shots and couldn't get comfortable against the Warriors' defense, falling into a big hole after the first 20 minutes. The lead eventually swelled to 37-16 in favor of Corban at halftime.
The Cavs shot significantly better from the field after the break, matching their first-half point total in just a few minutes. However, the Warriors always had an answer, usually in the form of a basket from Van Weerdhuizen or Jade Lowery.
Concordia managed to cut the lead to 12 with five minutes remaining, but was never able to get closer thanks to Corban's ability to get to the line and convert the ensuing attempts. The Warriors shot 18-for-23 (78 percent) from the line in the contest.
Aside from Van Weerdhuizen, Corban also saw Lowery (18 points), Sadie Pilgeram (14) and Julia Young (11) finish in double digits. Lowery also dished out six assists, two-thirds of the Warriors' total for the game.
Concordia was led by
Sierra Dean (Tacoma, Wash./Curtis H.S.)'s game-high 23 points.
Janae Klarich (Granger, Wash./Granger H.S.) also had 10 points for the Cavs, while
McKenna Daly (Livermore, Calif./Granada H.S.) added 11 points and nine rebounds.
Concordia next plays at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 16 at Evergreen State in Olympia, Wash. Corban faces College of Idaho at home at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 16.