SALEM, Ore. - Despite keeping the contest close all evening long, the Corban University women's basketball team fell short against the No. 13 Southern Oregon University Raiders on Saturday evening, 68-57. The loss is Corban's second in Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) play during the 2014-15 campaign.
The Warriors fell behind early, 8-0, but junior guard Julia Young (Snohomish, Wash.) and senior center Tara Van Weerdhuizen (Spokane, Wash.) put a stop to that run as they each scored a layup for Corban.
SOU remained on the attack offensively, continuing to penetrate and convert on opportunities in the paint, but Van Weerdhuizen kept Corban close, scoring the Navy and Gold's next eight points.
Later in the half, senior guard Haley Holboke (Vancouver, Wash.) and junior guard Jade Lowery (Oregon City, Ore.) both scored for the Warriors, bringing Corban to within one point. With only 11 seconds remaining in the half, sophomore forward Sadie Pilgeram (Helena, Mont.) nailed a three-pointer for the Warriors, tying the game, but the Raiders responded right back with a shot from distance at the buzzer to take a three-point lead into half.
In the second stanza, Southern Oregon (13-2, 4-2 CCC) extended its lead, but the Warriors fought back and another powerful layup inside from Van Weerdhuizen brought Corban back to within three points.
Young nailed another jumper for Corban at the 10-minute mark, making it a one-point game, but that would be as close as Corban would get, as from that point on, the Raiders steadily increased their lead and eventually won by 11 points.
Watch the game highlights here:
"We dug ourselves into a hole and gradually pulled ourselves back into the game with good defense," stated head coach Dave Bale. "It wasn't for a lack of effort as the ladies forced more turnovers and rebounded fairly well, we just could not put the ball into the basket from anywhere. We are a good shooting team and this will change."
One of the big reasons as to why the Raiders won Saturday's game was points-in-the-paint. SOU held the 38-22 advantage in the category, and the Warriors also lost the rebounding battle to the Raiders, 52-45.
As a team, Corban shot just 27.8% from the floor, while Southern Oregon registered a 41.0% mark. In addition, Corban went just 3-for-20 from distance.
"This group plays hard and doesn't give up and we are determined to right the ship and be a factor in the conference race," Bale said. "Southern Oregon is a very good team and they showed what it takes to win the close ones. Tara had another great night with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 5 blocks, while Sadie helped in the rebounding with an excellent 11 boards."
Van Weerdhuizen led the way for the Warriors with 16 points, 12 boards, and five blocks, while Young added 11 points on the night. Lowery also chipped in 11 points in the loss.
Ashley Claussen racked up a team-best 15 points for the Raiders, while Autumn Durand scored 14 points.
The Warriors (9-8, 3-2 CCC) return to the court next weekend in Portland against Warner Pacific College and Concordia University. Tipoff on both Friday and Saturday is slated for 5:30 p.m.
