EUGENE, Ore. – A last-second shot from sophomore Monique Thompson (pictured) tied the contest and sent the game into overtime and the Beacons hung on for a 68-65 over Corban University on Tuesday night. For NCU it was the third straight win of the season and third straight over their rivals dating back to the end of last season.
 
A hard-fought first half saw Corban emerge with a 31-29 edge at the intermission. The Beacons, however, came out with a stingy defensive effort in the third quarter, out-scoring the Warriors 20-6 as they held the home team to just two field goals to take a commanding 49-37 lead into the final ten-minute stanza.
 
With eight minutes remaining in regulation, junior forward Payton Wilcox began the Warrior rally with a lay-up and back-to-back three-pointers followed to make it a four-point game. The Beacons continued to make big shots of their own but another set of triples brought Corban within two points with four minutes to go.
 
Corban was within one point and looking to win it when Sadie Pilgeram sank another trey to give the Warriors a two point lead with ten seconds to play. With no time-outs remaining, the Beacons raced down the floor where Thompson banked in a running jumper to tie the game with a second to play, sending the game to overtime.
 
Head Coach Heath Alexander said, "Monique took the ball the length of the floor, Demarea Caples set a great screen to get her open and then she hit one of the shots we work on every day in practice and she did a heck of a job."
 
NCU went on to shoot 60% in the bonus period to claim the three-point victory.
 
The Beacons (7-5, 3-2 CCC) had four players score in double-figures led off the bench by Niki Duncan with 15. Thompson finished with 14 points and Hanna Mack scored 12. Andrea Gloss finished with 11 points, six rebounds and two blocks.
 
Corban (5-8, 1-4) had just one player in double-figures as Jade Lowery scored 26, shooting 4-for-9 from three-point range. Julie Young added eight points and a game-high ten rebounds. The Warriors shot 36% in the game and were forced into 13 turnovers.
 
"We defended well, but they got some momentum and made some great shots down the stretch," said Alexander. "I give a lot of credit to Corban. They had us scouted really well and any time they needed a big shot they got it. I'm proud of the way we finished and were able to pull this one out."
 
Northwest Christian will look to keep their streak going on December 30 when they return home to take on Walla Walla University (0-9, 0-4) at 1:00 p.m.