OLYMPIA, Wash. – Holding the lead for nearly all 40 minutes, the Evergreen Geoducks upset the first-place College of Idaho Coyotes, 63-60, in a Cascade Conference women’s basketball game on Friday night at CRC Gymnasium in Olympia, Wash.
A three-pointer by freshman Sadee Jones (Belfair, Wash./North Mason HS) gave the Geoducks (4-10, 2-3 CCC) the initial lead and the Coyotes (9-6, 4-2 CCC) would trail for the remainder of the first half. Evergreen pushed the lead the 12 points with 9:43 left in the opening period before the ‘Yotes cut the lead to five. The Geoducks, enjoying a rare first-half lead, didn’t relent, taking a 28-20 lead into the break.
In the second period, College of Idaho quickly cut the lead, using a 12-3 run to pull ahead by one on a jumper in the paint by Felicity Jones with 15:33 left to play. Evergreen took back the lead but the Coyotes continued to keep pace, tying the game at 50-50 with 3:44 on the clock on a Laura Geis basket.
Six straight points by Evergreen gave them cushion and the Geoducks hit their free throws down the stretch, earning their final seven points from the charity stripe as they picked up the 63-60 win. The victory marks just the fourth for Evergreen in the 29-game series with College of Idaho and breaks a seven-game winless streak against the ‘Yotes.
Evergreen was led by 20 points from Jessica Edge (Lake Stevens, Wash./Skagit Valley CC), who also added eight rebounds and five assists in the win. Danielle Swain (Rainier, Wash./Black Hills HS) chipped in 17 points to go with eight rebounds whole Jones chalked up 10 points on the night, including eight rebounds for her as well. The Geoducks won the game at the line, making 24-of-33 attempts on free throws for 72.7%.
College of Idaho was led by 20 points and 10 rebounds from Jones. Geis picked up 14 points to go with seven rebounds for the ‘Yotes. The visitors from Caldwell, Idaho outrebounded the Geoducks, 48-42, on the night, putting up 18 second-chance points on 19 offensive rebounds.
Evergreen will open up the 2012 portion of the schedule on Friday night when they visit Concordia. Tip-off with the Cavaliers is set for 5:30 pm in Portland, Ore.
