KIRKLAND, Wash. – After a small non-conference hiccup against Willamette University, the NCU women's basketball team got back to their winning ways on Friday night, traveling to earn their fifth straight CCC win as they took down Northwest University, 72-61.
 
A closely fought first-half found the home team edging out a 21-19 lead at the end of the first quarter but the Beacons rebounded, turning the tables as they took a 40-40 tie into the second half.
 
The Beacons defense emerged in the second half, holding the Eagles to just ten points in the third quarter and 11 in the fourth. NU was held to just 23% shooting after the intermission as the Beacons never trailed over the final 20 minutes.
 
NCU (9-6, 5-2 CCC) was led by junior Niki Duncan, scoring 21 points with 17 coming in a solid first-half. Senior Andrea Gloss added 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds and Monique Thompson led all players with eight assists. The Beacons shot 43% in the contest. Sami Pitts added 11 points while Chandler Gabrio came off the bench to score nine.
 
Head Coach Heath Alexander said, "This was a great team-win for our kids. We started out shooting the ball very well and weathered a few big runs by Northwest. Niki really got us going in the first half and Sami finished it off hitting a big shot late. Andrea gave us great leadership down the stretch and our team responded."
 
Senior Jordan Asher led Northwest University (7-10, 3-5 CCC) with 12 points and 9 rebounds. Brianna Fiso would drop in 7 points and grab a team high 10 rebounds. The Eagles were cold from the 3-point line managing to make just two of 19 attempts from outside.
 
The Beacons will return to action on Saturday, traveling to Olympia to face Evergreen at 5:30 pm.