Box Score

SALEM, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University women's basketball team made a big second-half surge, but fell short in their upset attempt against Corban University on Friday evening, falling 61-50 in Cascade Collegiate Conference action at the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center.

The post play of Corban's Tess Bennett and Tara Vanweerdhuizen combined for 42 points and 20 rebounds as the Warriors shot 41% from the field and out-rebounded NCU, 44-35. The Beacons trailed by 14 points at half-time and climbed to within four midway through the second half, but couldn't finish the deal.

Head Coach Liz Turner-Bolton said, “We played hard tonight and we blocked out better than we have, but we didn't have an answer for 6'2”. We got it to within four but couldn't get enough stops down the stretch. We executed well at times but had too many shots rim out.”

NCU trailed 33-19 at the break after shooting just 28% from the field and the Warriors were still ahead 46-35 with 12:04 to play. A pair of free-throws from Kelsey Atkins jump started an 11-4 Beacon run and the visitors were down just 50-46 with 8:15 to play.

Corban, however, showed why they are in the top-25 in the latest NAIA national coaches poll as they went on their own 11-0 run over the next six minutes, icing the Beacons into missing nine straight baskets during the stretch as they pulled away.

The Beacons (8-9, 0-5 CCC) were led by Aly Bruns (pictured) who scored 13 points as the only NCU player in double-figures. Lindsey Shearer scored eight points and contributed team-highs with six rebounds, six assists, and four steals. Katie Collins scored nine points and had three steals and Atkins finished with eight points.

Corban (9-4, 4-1) was led by freshman Vanweerdhuizen, who set a school-record with a 9-for-9 performance from the field, scoring 24 points and 13 rebounds. She added three blocks on the defensive end. Bennett was 7-for-11 from the floor for 18 points, adding seven rebounds.

Northwest Christian University will be back in action on January 6th as they resume Cascade Collegiate Conference action in Le Grande, Oregon against #9 Eastern Oregon University (12-3, 5-1) at 5:30 pm.