by IRKLAND, Wash. – Mariah Stacona (Warm Springs Tribe) came up with 19 points including 10 for 10 from the free throw line as Northwest University upset Corban University, 62-58, in the NU Pavilion tonight.
Neither team would blister the nets in the first half as Corban would take a 26-19 lead at halftime. The Warriors from Salem, Ore., converted 10 of 35 shots for 29 per cent while Northwest U hit 7 of 26 for 27 per cent.
The Eagles would put together two solid quarters in the second half outscoring Corban 43-32 to help with the comeback. NU also extended the court with pressure defense in the second half forcing 13 Corban turnovers.
With Corban leading 37-28 at the 5:40 mark of the 3rd quarter, Northwest U would slowly chip away at the Warrior lead. A jumper by Kalee Fowler would cut the Warrior lead to one, 42-41, at the end of the period.
The final quarter would be tight the entire way with 4 ties and 5 lead changes. Lindsey Asplund would break a 56-56 tie with her lay-up with 1:55 remaining, but NU would come right back and tie the score at 58-58. A steal by Miranda Langenhorst with 47 seconds would lead to a Hannah Carlson lay-up to give the Eagles a 60-58 lead with 27 seconds to go in the game. Stacona then came up with another steal with 6 seconds remaining and then dropped in two free throws to clinch the victory.
In addition to Stacona’s 19, Miranda Langenhorst scored 15 points with 8 rebounds while teammate Hannah Carlson had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Kalee Fowler came off the bench to score 9 for the Eagles who shot 36 per cent for the game. NU racked up 21 steals for the night.
Maddey Pflaumer led Corban (13-10, 7-8 CCC) with 14 points. Payton Wilcox added 9 points and 10 rebounds for the Warriors who shot 36 per cent for the game. Corban won the battle of the boards with a 48-37 rebounding margin and 20 offensive rebounds. The Warriors totaled 27 turnovers for the game.
Said NU coach, Ken Crawford, “I am really proud of our team tonight. It was a hard-fought game against a very good Corban team. The lady Eagles have worked very hard these last two weeks and it’s always fun to see the hard work pay off!”
