LEWISTON, Idaho - The Corban University women's basketball team had a chance to tie the contest with a late three-pointer on Saturday, but the shot rimmed out, resulting in a 67-63 loss for the Warriors against the undefeated University of Montana-Western. For Corban, it marks the second loss of the year against an NAIA Division I opponent.
"I was really pleased with our defense and how we rebounded," said Corban head coach Dave Bale. "Montana-Western had a really good post player who could step out and shoot the three, and everyone guarding her limited that part of her game. Lindsay, Julia, and Jade each were stroking it from the arc. We closed the small gap, and had the missed free throw bounced a bit more favorable we would have had a shot down one to win it."
After the first quarter, the Warriors led 18-14, and then at the half, 35-32. Montana-Western played solid defensively in the third stanza, nabbing a two-point lead heading into the fourth, and a couple of bounces that did not go Corban's way ultimately spelled defeat for the Warriors in heartbreaking fashion.
A three-pointer from senior guard Jade Lowery (Oregon City, Ore.) with 25 seconds left cut the deficit to one point, and then the Warriors got a good look to tie the ballgame with six seconds left, but the shot just missed, sealing Corban's fate.
Senior guard Julia Young (Snohomish, Wash.) stayed hot for Corban early on this season, totaling 19 points on the evening with a team-best nine rebounds. Lowery recorded 13 points with a team-high five assists, while freshman guard Lindsay Asplund (Battle Ground, Wash.) added a career-high 13 points on an efficient shooting night, going 5-of-10 from the field and 3-of-8 from beyond the arc. Additionally, junior forward Payton Wilcox (Salem, Ore.) chipped in six points and seven boards while fellow junior forward Sadie Pilgeram (Helena, Mont.) added nine points with a trio of three-pointers made.
Montana-Western (8-0) received 24 points from its bench on the evening while Corban got just three, and the Warriors managed to scored just eight points in the paint, while Montana-Western tallied 28.
Corban (1-2) returns to action on Tuesday when it travels to Newberg for a game against George Fox University. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
