OLYMPIA, Wash. – Holding a slight edge shooting, the Montana Tech Orediggers picked up a 66-58 win over the Evergreen Geoducks in a non-conference women’s basketball game on Wednesday evening at CRC Gymnasium in Olympia, Wash.

In the opening period the Geoducks (0-2) came out ready to play, leading the Orediggers (3-1) by six points just six minutes into the game.  Montana Tech tied it up a few minutes later around the midway point and the Diggers would hold onto the lead until Brittany Gray (Bainbridge Island, Wash./Bainbridge HS/Skagit Valley CC) hit a three pointer for Evergreen with 4:15 left to play that would tie the game at 23.

After another brief Tech lead, the Geoducks used a pair of free throws by Jessica Denmon (Oak Harbor, Wash./Oak Harbor HS/Skagit Valley CC) to tie things up at 25 all but a jumper by Kabri Emerson with three ticks left gave the Diggers a 27-25 halftime lead.

The second half was another battle as the score stayed tight.  Montana Tech began to pull away  with about five minutes to play, going on a 7-0 run that put them up by 11 at 59-48.  The Geoducks chipped away and cut the gap to four on a jumper by Denmon with 1:27 to play but that was the final basket for the Geoducks as the Orediggers earned the 66-58 win.

Evergreen was led by 14 points each from Denmon and Sadee Jones (Belfair, Wash./North Mason HS).  Sammi Clark (Monroe, Wash./Monroe HS/Edmonds CC) added seven assists for the Geoducks.  As a team, Evergreen was 44.7% from the field, making 21-of-47 attempts.

Montana Tech was led by 15 points from Victoria Turner and 14 from Kelsey DeWitt.  As a team, the Orediggers shot 59.1% from the field, making 26-of-44 attempts.  Montana Tech also held a slight 25-23 advantage on the glass.

Evergreen will be back in action on Friday night when they play host to Pacific Lutheran.  Tip with the Lutes is set for 6 p.m. at CRC Gymnasium in Olympia, Wash.

Box Score

OLYMPIA, Wash. – A strong-shooting Northwest Eagle team used a strong start to pick up a win over the Evergreen Geoducks, 55-43, in a non-conference women’s basketball on Wednesday night at CRC Gymnasium in Olympia, Wash.

The Eagles (3-1) built the early lead as the Geoducks (0-1) struggled shooting in the opening period.   It wasn’t until the 2:10 mark remaining the first period that Evergreen hit double-digits as the free throw by Sadee Jones (Belfair, Wash./North Mason HS) cut the NU lead to 18-10.  The low-scoring first half ended with NU leading, 27-16.

In the second half, the Geoducks found their stroke as the lead was cut to seven but a 12-0 run by the Eagles put Evergreen down big again.  The grey-clad Geoducks battled back to get within eight with 7:27 left to play but the lead was too much to overcome as Northwest picked up the 55-43 non-conference win between Cascade Conference rivals.

Evergreen was led by 14 points from senior Sammi Clark (Monroe, Wash./Monroe HS/Edmonds CC).  Jones finished with 11 on the night.  The Geoducks outrebounded the Eagles, 34-33, on the night as Evergreen picked up 12 second-chance points.

Northwest was led by 11 points off the bench from Paige Burson, the only NU player in double-digits.  Domi Mendezona had eight assists in the win as the Eagles shot 55.6% from the field, making 20-of-36 attempts.

Evergreen returns to action next Wednesday when they host Montana Tech. Tip with the Orediggers is set for 6 p.m. at CRC Gymnasium in Olympia, Wash.

Box Score

LACEY, Wash. – Facing off in the annual contest between in-county rivals, the Saint Martin Saints picked up a 70-63 win over the Evergreen Geoducks in an exhibition women’s basketball game on Tuesday night at Marcus Pavilion in Lacey, Wash.

Saint Martin’s took the initial lead on a three-pointer by Jordyn Richardson and never trailed the rest of the way.  Evergreen put up a good fight though, staying with the Saints the whole game.  SMU pushed the lead into double-digits with just over five minutes to go in the first period but the Geoducks cut the gap to eight heading into the break, down 37-29.

In the second half, the Saints again pushed the lead into double-digits but the Geoducks battled back and outscoring SMU in the period 34-33 en route to the 70-63 final.  Evergreen dominated the pain in the second half, outscoring SMU 26-12 in the key.  The Geoducks also took advantage of offensive rebounds, scoring 12 second-chance points in the final 20 minutes.

Evergreen was led by 21 points from forward Brittany Gray (Bainbridge Island, Wash./Bainbridge HS/Skagit Valley CC).  Sammi Clark (Monroe, Wash./Monroe HS/Edmonds CC) added 17 points to go with five assists while Kiemba Pearson (Seattle, Wash./Renton HS/Highline CC) added 11 points and nine rebounds in the exhibition loss.

Saint Martin’s was led by 22 points from Chelsea Haskey.  Angela Gelhar came off the bench to add 12 points for the Saints.  SMU shot 42.6% from the field, connecting on 23-of-54 attempts.

The Geoducks are back in action again on Wednesday as they officially open the season at home with a non-conference tilt against rival Northwest.  Tip with the Eagles is set for 6 p.m. at CRC Gymnasium in Olympia, Wash.

Box Score