KIRKLAND, Wash. – Making the short trip north, the Evergreen Geoducks battled tough with the 18th-ranked Northwest Eagles before falling 72-58 in a Cascade Collegiate Conference women’s basketball game on Friday night in Kirkland, Wash.
In the first half, the Geoducks (4-15, 2-10 CCC) struggled early to find their shot as the Eagles (16-5, 10-2 CCC) slowly built a lead. The NU advantage hit 10 points with 15 minutes left to play in the first period but Evergreen battled back, pulling within three points with 5:38 to go in the opening period. Northwest eventually built the advantage back up, taking a 38-26 lead into the halftime break.
In the second half, Northwest continued to shoot well but Evergreen hit baskets as well, pulling back within single digits with 11:18 left to play. Strong defensive play continued to allow the Geoducks to chip away at the lead but Northwest eventually began to wear the Geoducks down once again, building back the lead. The Eagles soared for the remainder of the half, picking up the 72-58 win.
Evergreen was led by 13 points from Vanessa Caskey (Tacoma, Wash./Pierce CC). Shekia Hill (Steilacoom, Wash./Steilacoom HS) added 11 while Latifa Ward (Tacoma, Wash./Foss HS) brought down a game-high 13 rebounds. Freshman Danielle Swain (Rainier, Wash./Black Hills HS) added 12 boards in the loss. The Geoducks held a 46-39 advantage in rebounding and blocked six shots in the losing effort.
Northwest was led by 23 points from Kia Gibson. Domi Medezona added 12 points while Emily Drivstuen chipped in 10 points. All three Eagles in double-figures came off the bench.
Evergreen will have the rest of the weekend off from competition as they prepare to return to Olympia next Friday, beginning with a CCC game against Oregon Tech. Tip-off with the Owls is set for 5:30 p.m. at CRC Gymnasium.
Game Stats
Upcoming Games
- Friday, February 4 (Home) *Oregon Institute of Technology 5:30pm
- Saturday, February 5 (Home) *Southern Oregon University 5:30pm
- Friday, February 11 (Away) *Warner Pacific College 5:30pm
- Saturday, February 12 (Away) *Concordia University 5:30pm
