by EUGENE, Ore. – Northwest University forced 19 Northwest Christian turnovers and allowed just one three point basket in the second half as they upset the Beacons 63-55 in the Morse Event Center tonight.
NU got balanced scoring with three players in double figures as the Eagles out rebounded NCU 47-20 with 20 offensive rebounds while allowing only two offensive boards by the Beacons.
The teams played a tight first quarter with Northwest Christian holding on to a slim, 15-14 lead. The Eagles would regain the lead 15 seconds into the second quarter on Paige Burson‘s lay-in and would lead the remainder of the quarter as they would take a 32-26 lead into the locker room at the half.
Northwest U would continue to hold their lead in the third quarter as the Eagle defense would force four Beacon turnovers and not allow a 3-point field goal as NCU would go 0-4 for the quarter. Mariah Stacona (Warm Springs Tribe) would sink a 3-pointer with 3:51 on the clock to give NU their largest lead of the quarter, 44-34 at 3:51 as NU would find themselves out front of the Beacons, 47-38 at quarter’s end.
Northwest Christian would make a run at the Eagles to start the final period as they would go on a 9-2 run as Hanna Mack would make the lone 3-point basket in the half for NCU at the 3:51 mark to make it a 49’47 ball game. A jumper by Stacona and lay in by Burson would push the Eagle lead to 55-49 with 2:33 remaining in the game. With NCU forced to foul, the Eagles would come through in the clutch sinking 8 of 9 free throws in the final 39 seconds to clinch the upset win.
Northwest U (12-15, 7-10 CCC) was led by a trio of players with Charmaine Bradford leading the way with 13 points. Mariah Stacona scored 12, grabbing 6 rebounds while Brianna Fiso added 11 points and 8 rebounds for the Eagles. NU managed only 32 percent shooting on the night, but scored 16 points on second chance baskets with their offensive rebounding. 13 points came off NCU turnovers.
Andrea Gloss led Northwest Christian (16-9, 11-5 CCC) with 14 points and teammate Monique Thompson scored 12 points and had 7 rebounds. The Beacons shot 45 percent for the game and 25 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.
Northwest U will be on the road again next weekend with a lone road trip to College Place, Wash., to play Walla Walla University on Saturday evening.
