SALEM, Ore. – The Evergreen Geoducks and Corban Warriors combined for 55 free throws on the night but it was the Warrirors earning the 73-63 victory in a Cascade Conference women’s basketball game on Saturday night in Salem, Ore.
After a brief lead exchange early, a 10-0 run gave Corban a 12-5 lead as the Geoducks were forced to play from behind. The Warriors extended the lead to 11 points with 2:18 left to play but Evergreen battled back as the lead was back to single digits heading into the break with Corban holding the 33-24 advantage.
The second half was much of the same as the teams battled back and forth, keeping the differential about the same. Corban pushed the lead to 13 points with 8:04 left on the clock but the Geoducks battled back to within single digits in the closing minutes. Evergreen tried everything they could to close the gap but in the end, it was Corban earning the 73-63 win.
Evergreen was led by 22 points from junior Sammi Clark (Monroe, Wash./Edmonds CC). Junior Jessica Denmon (Oak Harbor, Wash./Skagit Valley CC) added 17 points while sophomore Sadee Jones (Belfair, Wash./North Mason HS) earned the double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Geoducks were 21 of 29 from the charity stripe.
Corban was led by 14 points from Tess Bennett. Tara Vanweerdhuizen put up 13 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocks in the win. Haley Hobocke came off the bench to add 10 points in the win. The Warriors shot 17-of-28 on free throw attempts.
The Geoducks return to the friendly confines of CRC Gymnasium on Friday night when they play host to College of Idaho. Tip with the Yotes is set for 5:30 p.m. The game will also mark the annual Coaches vs. Cancer game for the Geoducks with all fans encouraged to trade in their green for pink.