EUGENE, Ore.  – The Northwest Christian University women's basketball team ends the first half of the conference slate in seventh place after falling to The College of Idaho on Saturday night, 65-57. NCU turned the ball over 23 times and couldn't overcome a deep first-half hole.
 
After trailing 31-22 at the intermission and falling behind by more than 20 points early in the second half, the Beacons put their rally caps on to close the gap to single digits in the end. NCU shot 52% from the field after halftime and outscored the Yotes in the final stanza, but the comeback ran out of time on the home team.
 
The College of Idaho (6-12, 5-4 CCC) shot just 35% in the game, due in part to a seven-block night from the Beacons. The Yotes, however, collected 17 steals and out-rebounded the Beacons 37-36 in the victory.
 
CI was led by Aleah Lowber and Elisha Hensey who combined to score 41 points on the night. Lowber led the way with 22, shooting 5-for-8 from three-point range. Hensey scored 19, adding seven rebounds, five steals and three assists. Brittany Wirth was also in double-digits with 12 points and a game-high eight rebounds.  Jamiece Yizar scored five points and filled up the stat sheet with seven rebounds, five steals and a game-high four assists.
 
Northwest Christian (7-10, 3-6) was led by Hannah Frederick and Breanna Schmidt with 12 points each. Chandler Gabrio added seven points, six rebounds, and two blocks and Andrea Gloss (pictured) scored six points while tying her career high with four blocks. The Beacons showed some depth on Saturday, with their reserves out-scoring the College of Idaho bench, 24-5.
 
NCU opens the second-half of conference play next Friday night with a home game against The Evergreen State College. The Geoducks sit one game ahead of the Beacons in the conference standings and defeated NCU at home earlier this season.