Ronnie Anderson

Lady Wolves Challenge #14 Beacons

2/19/2018 9:52:00 AM

Paul Starkebaum, Sports Information Director

Eugene, Ore. – Northwest Christian celebrated their seniors before the opening tip in an emotional final game for the Lady Wolves. Walla Walla bounced back after a tough loss on Friday with a tremendous effort on Saturday night that saw them down only three points going into the half.

Walla Walla's Carolina Montes hit a jumper to put the Wolves up 4-2 early in the first quarter, giving them their first lead over the Beacons in 42 minutes of basketball this weekend. The Beacons responded quickly and took a two-point lead before long-range specialist, Niki Duncan, hit her first three of three of the night to put her team up 9-6 over the Wolves. Neither team would find much success from deep in this game, as Walla Wall failed to make a three-pointer in the game and the Beacons were limited to shooting just 24% from long range. After a very defensive minded first ten minutes, the Beacons went into the second up 15-12 over Walla Walla.

Just over two minutes into the second quarter, Morgan Stanyer used a beautiful pump-fake and drive move on 6'5 center, Anamaria Virjoghe, to put the Wolves back on top 18-17. The lead would change hands seven times in the second quarter, as both teams played excellent defense, and the scoring seemed to come in waves throughout the quarter. The Beacons Morgan McKinney hit a long two-pointer that put Northwest Christian in the lead heading into halftime, but they found themselves up only three points, 31-28.

Emily Downs, in her final game in a Walla Walla jersey, nailed a jumper from the corner to put Walla Walla up 34-33 with just under seven minutes left in the third. Over the next four minutes, the Beacons would go on a 15-point tear that would be the difference in the game. Dani Baker and McKinney would combine for nine points as part of that run as the Beacons found a short burst of success from the three-point line. After 24 minutes of neither team have a lead great than four points, the Beacons went into the four quarter with a solid 15-point lead, 53-38.

The Beacons continued to build their lead in the opening minutes of the four, as the lead grew to 25-points with just under seven minutes remaining in the game. Walla Walla's lack of three-point shooting success stuck out in the second half, as they missed on several quality opportunities from deep. The relentless offensive rebounding from the Beacons was also a major factor in the game, as they pulled down 22 offensive boards, resulting in 27 second-chance points. When it was all down, the Beacons walked away with a 27-point win, as they defeated Walla Walla 76-49.

The game's leading scorer was the Beacons Hannah Eddens, who finished with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Walla Walla's Alyssa Blankenship had a double-double, finishing with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Emily Downs and Carolina Montes each finished with 11 points. This concludes the season for the Lady Wolves. Cascade Collegiate Conference playoffs begin this week. For more information on that, visit the cascadeconference.org.

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