by EUGENE, Ore. – A low scoring second quarter may have led to No. 24 Northwest Christian defeating the NU Eagles, 87-74 tonight in the Morse Event Center. The Eagles stayed with the ranked Beacons for three quarters, but NU would manage just 8 points in the second period to NCU’s 20.
Northwest U came out strong and stayed with the Beacons in the first quarter taking a 13-5 lead at the 6:30 mark after Kalee Fowler completed a 3-point play. But NCU slowly chip away at the NU lead and a 9-2 run would put them in the lead, 17-16, with 2:46 on the clock. The Eagles would come back to tie the game at 22-22 on a 3-pointer by Andie Kristinat, but two NCU free throws would give them a narrow, 24-22 lead at the end of the quarter.
In the second quarter, NU would go cold as they would hit just 1 of 10 field goals while NCU would continue to score. Jenna Christenson would hit a 3-pointer with 2:59 to go in the half to put the Beacons up 43-28. Hannah Carlson would drain two free throws to cut the NCU lead to 43-30, but a single free throw by Kaylynn Bush would give the Beacons a 44-30 halftime lead.
NCU would continue to shoot well in the third quarter as Christenson would hit another 3-pointer with 1:24 left in the period for a 62-42 Beacon lead. The Eagles would rally and outscore NCU 5-0 the rest of the quarter to cut the deficit to 62-47 as the quarter would end.
NU would outscore the Beacons 27-25 in the final period and Jackie Bento’s jumper with 4:59 on the clock would make it a 75-63 game. But, the Eagles would not be able to make up any ground the remainder of the period as NCU would post their 11th win of the season.
Five players scored in double figures for the Eagles (5-9, 2-4 CCC) with Mariah Stacona (Warm Springs Tribe) leading the way for the second consecutive night with 19 points and 5 assists. Hannah Carlson added 14 points; Andie Kristinat hit 4 of 6 3-pointers for 12 points; and Miranda Langenhorst and Kalee Fowler each scored 11 for NU. Northwest U heated up in the second half shooting 56% and 48% for the game.
Northwest Christian (11-1, 4-1 CCC) was led by Anamaria Virjoghe’s 27 points with teammate Niki Duncan scoring 20 points. Katerina Brejchova scored a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. NCU won the battle of the boards, out rebounding NU 40-32.
Said Coach Crawford following the game: “It was a tough battle tonight against the nationally ranked Beacons. We were a little leg weary from the road trip, but we were able to stay close, but just couldn’t make that big run to pull even. Overall, it was a good weekend for us as we continue to learn and get further into the league schedule.”
Next Up: NU returns home and will host the College of Idaho and Eastern Oregon next Friday and Saturday in the Pavilion.
