NAMPA, Idaho – A slow start for the Seattle Pacific University women's basketball team proved costly against Northwest Nazarene on Thursday evening, as the Nighthawks pulled away for a 93-57 victory over the Falcons.
FROM THE COACH
"We really struggled handling their tight defense on our guards," head coach
Karen Byers said. "I'm really proud of the twins and Kara. They defended well and are making great growth as freshmen. Ohta handled their full-court pressure throughout the game, and she does so with calmness and grace. Tomorrow we will be back in the gym working on our rebounding."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Falcons were on the wrong end of a 25-10 run during the first quarter against the Nighthawks.
- SPU turned it over four times during the first 10 minutes of the game.
- Grace Leasure scored seven of the Falcons' 10 points in the first quarter.
- Grace Mertes hit a 3-pointer to open the second quarter, where the Falcons found their offensive rhythm.
- SPU went 8-for-14 from the field, including a 4-for-7 performance from 3-point range.
- Mertes and Grace Turley led the Falcons with five points each in the quarter.
- The Falcons shared the ball well during that quarter, with seven players scoring during the 10-minute span.
- The Falcons trailed 51-32 at halftime.
- NNU extended its lead with a 21-11 run in the third quarter.
- Mertes got it going again in the fourth quarter, leading the Falcons with seven points during that span.
- The Nighthawks went on to take the game 93-57.
FROM THE BOX SCORE
- Mertes led the Falcons with 12 points while going 4-for-6 from the floor.
- Mertes tied Layla Sendersen with a team-high two assists for the game.
- Leasure scored 11 points with a 7-for-8 performance from the free throw line.
- Haylie-Anne Ohta tied for a game-high four steals with NNU's Claire Fischer.
UP NEXT
The Falcons have reservations in Ellensburg, Wash., to take on 15
th-ranked Central Washington on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
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