EUGENE, Ore. - Led by a season-high 26 points and 20 rebounds from senior center Tara Van Weerdhuizen (Spokane, Wash.), the Corban University women's basketball team notched its fourth-straight victory of the season with a 72-58 triumph over New Hope Christian College on Saturday night in Eugene, Ore.
The Warriors (9-6, 3-0 CCC) leaped to a double-digit advantage (15-5) early after sophomore forward Sadie Pilgeram (Helena, Mont.) found Van Weerdhuizen for a layup at the 16:45 mark of the first half. Still leading by 10 (21-11) with 11:29 remaining in the opening stanza, Corban closed the frame on an 18-4 run capped by an easy bucket by senior center Claire Bailey (Santa Rosa, Calif.).
The Navy and Gold shot 42.5% (17-for-40) in the first half and held the Deacons (3-16) to a dismal 21.4% (6-for-28) effort from the field. Van Weerdhuizen, who registered 12 points and 12 rebounds in the opening 20 minutes, was key in helping Corban to a 30-18 advantage on the boards.
On its second possession of the second half, Corban recorded its largest largest lead of the game (41-15) after Van Weerdhuizen scored on a putback with 18:37 left on the clock. After back-to-back baskets by the Deacons cut the Warriors' lead to 16 (52-36) at the 11:32 mark, Van Weerdhuizen responded with six-straight points to keep New Hope at bay.
Although New Hope threatened to rally again and cut Corban's lead to 10 with just over two minutes remaining, junior guard Jade Lowery (Oregon City, Ore.) drilled a three-pointer and was fouled in the process en route to a four-point play.
"We challenged the ladies to start fast and we did well in every category except from the free throw line," stated head coach Dave Bale. "Five three-pointers in a row by New Hope in the second half made the game more interesting. A lot of players contributed in positive ways, so I was glad we played so well in the first half."
In just 27 minutes of action, Van Weerdhuizen shot 12-for-16 from the field and blocked three shots in the winning effort. Pilgeram, who buried a pair of three-pointers in the first half, finished the game with 14 points and four rebounds. Lowery added nine points and six assists for the Navy and Gold, while senior guard Haley Holboke (Vancouver, Wash.) came off the bench to drill a trio of three-pointers and snag three steals.
New Hope was lead by junior guard Taya Harbick, as she scored 16 points on 5-for-10 shooting from the field. Sophomore guard Jessica Logan registered a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds, while freshman guard Kenzie Weston also added 15 points for the Deacons.
Corban shot 39.7% (31-for-78) from the field, while New Hope only managed a 30.2% (19-for-63) clip. The Navy and Gold pounded the Deacons on the glass (59-40), and the Warriors finished the game with 14 steals.
Corban returns to action on Jan. 2 in a Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) affair against Oregon Tech in Salem, Ore. at 5:30 p.m.
