Box Score

EUGENE, Ore. – After trailing by ten points at the break, the Northwest Christian University women's basketball team made a late charge to get within two points in the final minute but ran out of interstate in a 78-73 loss to Corban University on Friday night. This was the Cascade Collegiate Conference opener for both schools.

The Beacons were losing 44-34 at the intermission, having allowed the Warriors to shoot a blistering 63% in the opening frame. Then in the second half Corban increased their lead to 15 with five straight points out of the gate. They continued to lead big, 67-56 with 4:46 remaining, but NCU was out to prove that they had more left in the tank.

Martha Taylor (pictured) hit a three-pointer and after a Corban turnover Lori Renner hit a trey, her third of the night. From there the rally was on as NCU went on an 11-4 run, climbing to within four points with 2:42 on the clock. A pair of free throws from Becky Buhler and a layup by Katie Steigleman in a 20 second span gave Corban their final comfortable lead of the night, as CU went ahead 75-67.

Hope Williams brought the Beacons to within six on a layup and made it a five-point game after going 1-for-2 at the free-throw line with 1:31 remaining. Corban missed a shot on their next possession and with 28 seconds to play, Taylor drained a three-pointer from the right corner of the floor to make it 73-75. Corban hit one of two at the line after getting fouled on their next possession, but NCU was unable to get anything going on their final chance, ending the game.

NCU (3-4, 0-1 CCC) was led by Renner who scored 18 points before fouling out. Williams posted her second consecutive double-double, scoring 17 points with ten rebounds as she shot 8-for-16 from the field. Taylor finished the night with then points and four assists, adding two blocked shots. Lindsey Shearer led the team with five assists. Northwest Christian shot 40% and hit a season-high eight three-pointers.

Corban (2-4, 1-0) was led by Steigleman, scoring a game-high 24 points along with team highs of eight rebounds and four steals. Tess Bennett scored 16 points before fouling out and Buhler added 15 points and a game-high five blocked shots. Jennesa Miller led all players with nine assists, but also had nine turnovers in the game. The Warriors had 27 turnovers as a team and out-rebounded the Beacons 38-31.

Northwest Christian will be back in action next Friday, traveling to Kirkland, Washington to face Northwest University (6-3, 1-0). Corban plays in Olympia on Friday against Evergreen State (1-5, 0-1). Both games will tip-off at 7:30 pm.