BOX SCORE

EUGENE, Ore. – Three Warriors scored in double figures led by junior Katie Steigleman's (Eugene, Ore.) game-high 24 points, as Corban's women's basketball team defeated rival Northwest Christian, 78-73, in both team's Cascade Collegiate Conference opener Friday inside the Morse Event Center.

Steigleman would net eight field goals and eight free throws on 12 attempts each, while sophomore Tess Bennett (Sutherlin, Ore.) and junior Becky Buhler (Clackamas, Ore.) added 16 and 15 points respectively. On the boards, Steigleman pulled down a team-leading eight rebounds to go along with a game-high four steals in 39 minutes of action. Freshman Alison Evans (Canby, Ore.) added eight points off the bench, while senior Jennesa Miller (Mica, Wash.) contributed six points and a game-high nine assists.

Northwest Christian would come out over the opening six minutes and grabbed a quick six-point lead (17-11) following a jumper by Martha Taylor at the 14:08 mark. After a jumper by NCU's Jackie Cunningham that gave the host Beacons a two-point lead (19-17), Corban used a 15-0 run over a span of five minutes en route to grabbing a 13-point lead (32-19) after a Bennett lay-in with 7:25 showing on the clock. Northwest Christian would get as close as seven points (38-31) before the visiting Warriors settled for a 10-point halftime lead (44-34) thanks to a pair of free throws by sophomore Melissa Jones (Klamath Falls, Ore.).

The second half would begin with Corban extending its intermission lead to 15 points (55-40) thanks to a pair of Bennett free throws at the 13:50 mark. Using a never-say-die attitude, Northwest Christian began to mount a comeback that brought the host Beacons to within two points (75-73) with 28 seconds remaining following a Taylor three-pointer. Fortunately for the Warriors, timely defense by Miller and clutch free throw shooting down the stretch by senior Kayla Shaughnessy (Camano Island, Wash.) and Evans would help lead Corban to a conference-opening five-point win (78-73).

Northwest Christian was led by Lori Renner's team-high 18 points, while Hope Williams added 17 points and a game-high 10 rebounds to go along with Taylor's 10 points. Lindsey Shearer contributed five points and a team-high five assists, while Cunningham provided seven points off the bench for the Beacons.

As a team, Corban shot 26-for-49 (53.1%) from the field that included a scorching 17-for-27 (63.0%) performance over the opening 20 minutes. The Warriors would also turn in a 3-for-9 (33.3%) showing from beyond the three-point line and a 23-for-30 (76.7%) performance at the free throw line. On the other hand, Northwest Christian was a combined 26-for-65 (40.0%) from the field, 8-for-22 (36.4%) from beyond the arc, and 13-for-18 (72.2%) at the charity stripe.

With tonight's result, Corban improves to 2-4 overall and 1-0 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play. Meanwhile, Northwest Christian falls to 3-4 overall and 0-1 in league games. The Warriors will return to the hardwood tomorrow night – Saturday, December 4th – against cross town rival Willamette beginning at 5:30 p.m. inside the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center.