OLYMPIA, Wash. – Limited to just two practices in the week leading up to the game, it took the Evergreen Geoducks nearly 13 minutes to get their first basket as they were defeated by the Northwest Christian Beacons, 46-39, in a Cascade Conference women’s basketball game on Sunday night at CRC Gymnasium in Olympia, Wash.
In the first half, the Geoducks (4-15, 2-8 CCC) scored their first point on a free through by Sami Clark (Monroe, Wash./Edmonds CC) almost seven minutes into the game. It wasn’t until the 7:12 mark on a jumper by Kristy-Lee Nahley (Darrington, Wash./Shelton HS) that Evergreen got their first basket and by that point, Northwest Christian (9-13, 1-9 CCC) already held a double-digit lead. Evergreen chipped the differential down to five at the half, 19-14, as the two teams combined for just 11 baskets in the first period.
In the second half, the Geoducks tied the game at 21 with 13:49 left to play by a 13-0 run by the Beacons put NCU up by double-digits yet again. Evergreen chipped away at the lead yet again, pulling within five but they couldn’t get any closer as Northwest Christian earned their first conference win of the season, 46-39.
Evergreen was led by 10 points each from Danielle Swain (Rainier, Wash./Black Hills HS) and Clark. Swain also added a career-high 21 rebounds, tying the school record held by Christine Pendergrass and Linnaea Jablonski. Geoducks held the advantage on the glass, outrebounding the Beacons, 43-31, on the night.
Northwest Christian was led by 14 points from Lindsay Shearer. Katie Collins came off the bench to score 13 while Martha Taylor brought down 13 rebounds for the Beacons. NCU forced Evergreen to turn the ball over 26 times, picking up 14 steals in the game.
The Geoducks will look to bounce back on Monday afternoon when they play host to 15th-ranked Corban. Tip with the Warriors is set for 3pm at CRC Gymnasium in Olympia, Wash.
