EUGENE, Ore. – The No. 14-ranked Northwest Christian University women's basketball team capped a historic 2017/18 regular season with a 76-49 conference win over the Walla Walla Wolves on Saturday night. NCU seniors Maddi Bartholomew, Niki Duncan, Katerina Brejchova and Kristen Parr were honored prior to the game, with the foursome going on to score a combined 30 points in the victory.
 
NCU (22-5, 15-5 CCC) exploded for 45 points in the second half after leading the Wolves (3-22, 1-19) by just three after the first 20 minutes of action. The Beacons shot just 35.3% on the night but held huge advantages in points off turnovers (+24), second chance points (27-1) and bench points (42-6).
 
The Wolves hung tough with the Beacons for the entire first half, holding the home side to just 9-33 from the field and 1-14 from long-range. Neither team led by more than five points throughout the first two periods, with the score changing hands ten times over the span. NCU went into the intermission with a three-point advantage, 31-28.
 
Northwest Christian found their rhythm midway through the third period when Brejchova hit left-side layup to key a 15-point run which put the Beacons up 48-34 at the 3:27 mark. Another streak of 12 unanswered spanning the final minute of the third period and first five of the fourth put the game on ice, with NCU cruising to their second victory over the Wolves in as many nights.
 
Hannah Eddens led all players with 15 points, coming off the bench to go a perfect four-for-four from the field and 7-8 from the free-throw line in addition to grabbing a team-high nine rebounds. Duncan finished with 12 points and two steals, while Brejchova added 11 points, eight boards and four assists. Freshman Morgan McKinney was the fourth Beacon in double-figures, ending the night with 11 points on a five-of-seven shooting effort.
 
Emily Downs, Carolina Montes, and Alyssa Blankenship all scored 11 for the Wolves. Blankenship complemented her scoring with 11 boards, notching the games only double-double. Sarah Halverson put forth an eight point, nine rebound performance in the post.
 
Following the win, NCU shifts their focus to their Tuesday night playoff game against their CCC foe from Salem – the Corban Warriors. The Beacons aim to settle the score with the Warriors following their 84-71 loss this past Wednesday, their only stumble against an unranked opponent this season. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the Morse Event Center.