EUGENE, Ore.  – The Northwest Christian University women's basketball team dropped a close one on Friday evening, falling to Pacific University, 61-58.
 
NCU held a 29-20 lead at halftime after limiting the Boxers on offense as the visitors hit just eight field goals. Pacific fought back to tie the game at the end of the third quarter, setting up a gut –wrenching final ten minutes.
 
Tied 40-40 as they headed into the fourth quarter, a chess match ensued. Pacific struck first with a jumper by Charli Elliot and the Boxers continued to score on each possession, only to have the Beacons answer on each of theirs. The teams were tied four times in the first three and a half minutes and with 6:38 to play, two Hanna Mack free-throws gave NCU a 46-45 lead.
 
A Chandler Gabrio triple with 4:21 remaining gave NCU a four-point cushion that would hold for more than two minutes. Trailing by three, Pacific turned the tide at the 1:39 mark as Sarah Curl scored on a layup and was fouled by Andrea Gloss on the play. It was the fifth foul for Gloss, sending the senior to the bench. Curl made the and-one free-throw and the game was tied, 53-53.
 
An NCU turnover was followed by another curl field goal but Gabrio (pictured) was there once again, putting home a triple to give NCU their final lead of the night, 56-55 with 1:14 to play. Pacific hit six free throws over then final 54 seconds and held the Beacons to just one more field goal, taking home the win.  
 
The Beacons (3-2) were led in the loss by Mack, shooting 8-for-15 for 18 points and 8 rebounds. Jenna Christenson added 9 points and three assists and Gabrio finished with eight points and three blocks. Gloss added eight points and two blocks.
 
Curl led Pacific (2-0), scoring a game-high 23 points along with five rebounds and four steals. Kyla Siri added 14 points and Karli McHone chipped in 13. Pacific out-rebounded the home team 39-33 and collected 12 steals as the Beacons turned the ball over 18 times.
 
NCU returns to the court on Saturday afternoon, hosting Carroll College (6-0) at 3:00 pm.