EUGENE, Ore. – Playing in their Cascade Collegiate Conference home opener, the Northwest Christian University women's basketball team fell on Friday afternoon to Concordia, 84-57. The Cavaliers, currently receiving votes in the NAIA national coaches poll, shot 49% and had four players in double-figures in the win.

The teams were locked in a tight battle as the game opened, neither team taking more than a three-point lead. With 8:16 the Beacons took a 1-point lead, 20-19 on a jumper by freshman Jess Anderson, but NCU went cold from there. The Cavaliers went on a 25-5 run and ended the half with a 44-25 advantage. The Beacons committed ten turnovers in the half and shot just 36%, including a 1-for-9 output from beyond the three-point arc.

NCU opened the second half on a 9-4 run; climbing back within 14, but that would be as close as they would come. “Concordia was unconscious shooting the ball tonight and we did our best to contain them,” said Head Coach Liz Turner-Bolton. “I thought we did a really good job stopping their penetration, unfortunately we just couldn't pick it up after that.”

Northwest Christian (4-7, 0-3 CCC) was led by Emily Gray, registering team-highs with 13 points, 8 rebounds and five steals, along with a pair of blocks. Calie McVicker scored seven points and five steals. Elise Gray followed with nine and Anderson, in her most extensive minutes of the season, scored eight points. “Jess is starting to get more into the flow of the game,” said Bolton, “and she is looking pretty good on both sides of the ball.”

Concordia (9-1, 3-0) was led by Angela Gimeno, scoring 18 points as she hit four three-pointers. 16 of her points came in the first half. Danielle Clausen followed with 16 points and Maryam Razavi hit a trio of treys, scoring 13.

NCU will be back in action tomorrow afternoon against Corban. Game time is scheduled for 1:30 pm.