EUGENE, Ore. – Three players fouled out on Saturday night as the Northwest Christian University women's basketball team lost to The Evergreen State College, 64-57. Elise Gray scored 23 points to lead NCU.

Gray scored the Beacons first eight points of the game keeping NCU in a tight contest that saw three ties and six lead changes over the first seven minutes. The Beacons were ahead 10-9 when the Geoducks went on a run, scoring ten unanswered points. Evergreen was still ahead 26-17 with 4:27 to play but the Beacons were able to close out the first half with a strong run, scoring seven unanswered points, including six from Gray. NCU was only down 26-24 at the intermission as Gray had put down 19, hitting 8-for-12 from the field.

The Beacons looked like they were going to make a charge as McKenzie Gambee hit back-to-back turnaround jumpers to give NCU a brief 28-26 lead. But Keisha McDonald was fouled with 18;15 remaining and hit both free-throws to tie the game and the Geoducks were off to the races.

Northwest Christian had three players in foul trouble even from the first half and Gambee, Katey Monteith and Calie McVicker all saw limited court time in the second half before the trio fouled out in the final moments.

Gray finished her night shooting 9-for-22, adding four rebounds and three steals to her 23 points. Northwest Christian also got nine points from Jacquie Lipp off the bench. McVicker and Jenneca Crocker each scored seven with Crocker pulling down a team-high nine rebounds.

The Evergreen State (10-13, 5-11 CCC) was led by Kristi Auckland, scoring 11 points and 12 rebounds. Katie Garcin came off the bench for 11 points and Alex Saab added ten points, six assists and three steals.

The Beacons will be back in action next weekend as they travel to face Southern Oregon and Oregon Tech in their final road trip of the season. Tip-off for both games is scheduled for 5:30 pm