KIRKLAND, Wash. – The Northwest Christian University women's basketball team suffered their first conference loss of the season to an unranked team on Saturday, dropping an important road game to Northwest University, 72-59.
 
Already without the services of leading scorer Monique Thompson, the Beacons went for their second night without senior Niki Duncan as well, and this time the weakened depth proved costly.
 
Things looked good early for the Beacons as they scored the first nine points of the game including five from senior Jeni Hoffert (pictured). The Beacons held a three-point lead after the first quarter and were ahead 25-20 with five and a half minutes remaining in the second quarter when the home team came alive.
 
NU went on a 14-0 run, taking the lead for good as they built a 39-31 advantage at the intermission. The second half was all Eagles as Northwest led by as many as 17 points before claiming the 13-point victory.
 
The Beacons (15-8, 12-4 CCC) were led by Hoffert, finishing with a game-high 23 points as she hit five three points and collected five steals. Katerina Brejchova added 13 points and posted a season-high five blocks. NCU shot 39% for the game and was out-rebounded 43-22.
 
Northwest (12-15, 7-10 CCC) had four players in double-figures including Mariah Stacona who scored 16 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals. Hannah Carlson added 14 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Kalee Fowler and Katie Rozumny combined for 24 points off the bench as the NU reserves out-scored the Beacon non-starters, 26-5.
 
Northwest Christian, still comfortably sitting in fourth-place in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, will look to rebound at home next weekend as they host their final two regular season games. Multnomah pays a visit on Friday night and Warner Pacific comes in on Saturday with both games scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.