The Northwest University (NU) women’s basketball team picked up two big wins this weekend, by first waging a big comeback to defeat Corban University, 62-58, on Friday and then using three-pointers to take down Northwest Christian (RV), 72-59, on Saturday.
Mariah Stacona scored 19 points, including a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line, against Corban in the NU Pavilion in Kirkland.
The Eagles outscored Corban, 43-32, during the second half by using a full-court press defense and forcing 13 Corban turnovers.
With Corban leading 37-28 at the 5:40 mark of the third 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 four ties and five lead changes. Corban player Lindsey Asplund broke 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 six 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 eight rebounds, while teammate Hannah Carlson had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Kalee Fowler came off the bench to score nine for the Eagles, who shot 36 percent for the game. NU racked up 21 steals during the contest.
“I am really proud of our team tonight,” said NU coach, Ken Crawford. “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.”
Eagles defeat Beacons from outside
Northwest University made 11-of-24 three-pointers against Northwest Christian to earn their second win of the weekend. Playing the second straight game without starter and fourth leading scorer, Charmaine Bradford, Katie Rozumny and Fowler were a combined for 6-for-11 beyond the three-point line to help lift NU to victory.
“It was a great game tonight as the Lady Eagles went against a strong Northwest Christian team,” Crawford said. “I really like what we are doing as a team and look forward to seeing everyone out for senior night next Saturday.”
Leading by four, 42-38, with 5:10 left in the third period, NU outscored the Beacons 14-1 to increase their lead to 17, 56-39 with 1:20 on the clock. NCU would score the final three points of the quarter making it 56-42 as the buzzer would sound.
An 8-0 run by NCU to start the fourth quarter would cut the Eagle lead to six, 56-50, after a Jenna Christenson trey. But that would be the closest the Beacons would come as a 7-0 run by Northwest U would increase their lead to 63-50 with 6:05 on the clock, and they would maintain the lead the remainder of the game.
Stacona led the Eagles (12-15, 7-10 CCC) with 16 points including four three-pointers. Paige Burson scored 14 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Fowler scored 13 off the bench. NU shot 47 percent for the game, 46 percent from the three-point line. NU had a 43-22 advantage in rebounding.
