SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University women's basketball team kept the good times rolling early on in the 2016-17 campaign in its first home contest of the year, defeating the Linfield College Wildcats on Thursday night, 69-54. For the Warriors, the 5-0 record to begin the year continues to build on the program-best start.
Click the 'Play Button' on the photo above for video highlights from the win.
"I am super proud of our team tonight," said Corban head coach Michelle Skyles. "We did a great job responding to adjustments and our girls just plain got after it in the second and third quarters. We had some players really step up tonight and our subs did a good job keeping the intensity high."
Linfield kept it close early and owned the 13-12 lead after the first stanza. In quarter number two, however, the Warriors turned up the intensity defensively, causing Linfield to turn the ball over on a number of occasions, leading to easy Warrior buckets. Maci Benedict led the Corban attack in that first half, scoring 16 points while nailing a trio of three-pointers to give the Warriors a 37-23 advantage at the break.
In the second stanza, the Warriors didn't let up, scoring 20 more points in the third quarter while finishing the contest out in the fourth for the convincing 15-point victory.
"We challenged them before the game to increase their roles with the absence of Maddey," said Skyles. "And I couldn't be happier with their response. It was a great team win for our home-opener, and our fans were awesome tonight too!"
Benedict led the way for Corban with 19 points on a 7-for-11 shooting mark, draining four long-range efforts in the win. Also with a very efficient game was Payton Wilcox, as she poured in 18 points on a 6-for-11 shooting mark. Additionally, recording a double-double for the Navy and Gold was Sadie Pilgeram with 12 points and 11 boards.
As a team, Corban shot 42.9% from the field while holding the Wildcats (0-1) to a 32.1% shooting mark.
Corban (5-0) returns to the court on Monday when it travels to Forest Grove for a non-conference game at Pacific University. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
Become a fan of Corban Athletics on Facebook
Follow Corban Athletics on Twitter @CorbanAthletics
Follow Corban Athletics on Instagram: corbanathletics
Follow Corban Athletics on Snapchat: corbanathletics
Watch Corban Warrior videos on Youtube: CorbanUAthletics
Sign up for our Corban Warriors email Newsletter
#WarriorNation
