by OLYMPIA, Wash. – Mariah Stacona‘s 3-point attempt with one second to go would fall short as Evergreen would hold on for a 74-71 victory in the Constantino Recreation Center tonight. Stacona finished with a game high 30 points.
Evergreen would lead throughout the first period to lead 23-18 at the end of the quarter. With the Geoducks leading 32-21 with 6:01 remaining in the second quarter, the Eagles would go on a 15-4 run to tie the score at 36-all after a Miranda Langenhorst jumper at the 2:13 mark. NU would complete a 17-4 run with Emily Henderson‘s jumper with a minute to go to lead at the half, 38-36.
The second half would swing back and forth with seven ties and 9 lead changes as the teams would battle for the lead. Evergreen would take a 5 point lead, 49-44, at 4:51 in the third quarter, but a 10-5 run by the Eagles would knot the score at 54-54 capped off by a Mariah Stacona (Warm Springs Tribe) trey with 1:53 on the clock. Stacona would then give NU a 58-56 lead at the end of the quarter as she would get to the basket with 8 seconds on the clock.
The teams would continue to battle in the final quarter and with the game in its 9th and final tie, 69-69, with 3:35 to go in the game, Stacona would put the Eagles ahead 71-69, but it would be the Geoducks coming back to take the lead on Cayla Jones’ 3-pointer at the 2:10 mark and Jones would then hit two free throws with 5 seconds to go to put TESC up for good at 74-71. After an NU timeout, Stacona would get one more look at the basket, but would not convert as TESC would escape with the win.
In addition to her 30 points, Stacona led Northwest U (6-12, 3-6 CCC) with 7 assists and 7 steals. Andie Kristinat scored 13 points and Miranda Langenhorst registered another double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. NU shot 47% for the game and 70% from the free throw line (7-10).
Evergreen State (7-6, 5-4 CCC) was led by Alexcis Higginbotham’s 23 points and 9 rebounds. Cayla Jones (Yakama Tribe) added 22 points and 10 rebounds along with 7 assists for the Geoducks who shot 48% on 28 for 58 shooting and out rebounded the Eagles 39-25 with 13 offensive rebounds.
Next Up: The Eagles have a bye this weekend and will be back in action in January 20 in Klamath Falls, Ore., when they take on Oregon Tech.
