EUGENE, Ore.  – With a number of girls missing from action on Saturday, the Northwest Christian University women's basketball team used just seven players to claim a 58-47 victory over Simpson University in their season opener. 

Second-year Head Coach Heath Alexander said, "I thought we played very well with the short bench we had to work with, especially as the girls battled through foul trouble. Simpson has been scoring in the 80s and holding them under 50 was pretty big."

The Beacons set the tone early, jumping out to a 12-2 advantage in rebounds as they would use their height advantage in the post all afternoon. The Beacons finished with just a 43-41 edge on the glass, but the bigs also produced eight blocks and ten of the teams 15 assists. 

Four players scored in double figures for NCU led by Monique Thompson with 14. The sophomore transfer was one of three players to each hit a trio of three-pointers, joining senior Sami Pitts and freshman Jenna Christenson. Christenson had an impressive collegiate debut, scoring 13 points off the bench. Junior transfer Hanna Mack also made her Beacon debut, scoring 11 points with eight rebounds, four assists and four blocks. Senior MeShel Rad tied a career high with 16 rebounds including eight offensive boards, the most by a Beacon in four years. 

"For Meesh to have as many offensive rebounds as Simpson had as a team was incredible," said Alexander. "She did a heck of a job for us."

Simpson (0-3) was fueled by Esther Wofford, posting a game-high 16 points on 7-for-15 shooting. Whitney Rodriguez added ten points and six rebounds while Kelsie Jurin scored nine points and led the team with two assists. 

The Beacons will return to action on Friday as they travel to Redding, California for the Simpson Invitational. NCU takes on William Jessup on Friday at 5:30 p.m.