SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University women's basketball team made 12 long-range efforts on Friday evening in a non-conference contest against Simpson University (Calif.), downing the Red Hawks in the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center, 72-58. With the win, the Warriors complete the season sweep of Simpson.
Click the 'Play Button' on the photo above for video highlights from the win.
"The second quarter was obviously a huge burst for us, on both ends of the floor," said Corban head coach Michelle Skyles. "Simpson has had a tremendous preseason schedule and they're well coached, so getting a win over them again is huge for us."
Corban actually started the game slow, falling behind 7-2, but then the Warriors finished the first quarter strong and took a one-point lead into the second stanza. In that quarter, the Warriors locked down defensively, only allowing the Red Hawks to score only eight points while the Warriors caught fire, scoring 20 themselves to take a commanding 13-point lead into the halftime break.
In the third and fourth quarters, Simpson tried to make runs at Corban and cut into the deficit, but the Warriors held strong, and it was Maci Benedict and Hannah Shore who led the way offensively for Corban, nailing big three-pointer after big three-pointer. Corban never allowed the Red Hawks to get too close, and the Navy and Gold closed the contest out for the comfortable 14-point win.
"We prepared them for how hard Simpson played and challenged them to meet their intensity and work ethic," said Skyles. "I believe we really did well there. Our players moved the ball well in the fourth quarter when they were making a run and we withstood their charge. It was a tremendous team win, and I'm very proud of our team."
Benedict led all scorers with 24 points on a 6-for-11 shooting effort, nailing six three-pointers in the victory. Also hot from downtown was Shore, as she sank a trio of long-range efforts in the first half and then another in the second stanza to finish with 13 points. Also hitting double-figures for Corban was Payton Wilcox with 11 points on a 5-for-7 shooting mark and Mattaea Cooper also finished in double-figures with 10 points.
After the contest, Benedict talked about the win:
"Maci and Hannah were dynamic from behind the arc tonight and our defense was much better as well," said Skyles.
As a team, Corban shot 40.6% from the floor and 40.0% from beyond the arc. Simpson (5-8) shot just 35.5% overall and only 14.3% from downtown. Esther Wofford led the way with 14 points for the Red Hawks.
Corban (6-2) returns to the court next week and opens up conference play at home when it hosts No. 5 Southern Oregon University on Friday and Oregon Tech on Saturday.
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