SALEM, Ore. – The Corban University women's basketball team couldn't overcome a costly second quarter in the squad's 72-56 defeat at the hands of Montana Tech on Friday evening. Gemma LaVergne broke out for a career-best 26 points in the defeat, headlining the Warriors' second-half comeback bid.

The deficit sat at just five—Montana Tech boasted a 16-11 lead—at the end of the first quarter, but the Orediggers pulled away in the second period. The visitors opened the second quarter on an 11-2 run, grabbing valuable cushion in the contest and eventually entering the locker room with a 40-24 advantage at the half.

The Warriors put together a few runs in the second half, but never managed to gain enough traction to significantly cut into the deficit. The two teams each scored 32 points in an evenly-matched second half, but the Navy and Gold was unable to climb out of the early hole.

LaVergne's 26 points are the most for a team since Jordan Woodvine's 32-point effort on February 25, 2020. The freshman guard from Emmett, Idaho was as efficient as she was effective, going 8-of-13 from the field and 4-of-8 from downtown in the impressive performance.

Meanwhile, Holly Golenor turned in another exceptional effort in the paint, scoring 16 points (6-of-12 FG) and snatching 16 rebounds for her first double-double of the year. Both of those marks represent new season-highs for the star forward, while her 16 boards are also a new career-best.

On the opposite bench, Brooke Heggie (16 points, nine rebounds) shined in the victory, finishing just one board shy of a double-double of her own. Mollie Peoples also finished in double-figures, ending the night with 11 points.

The Warriors (1-4) will wrap up the Corban Classic tomorrow afternoon, facing off with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at 3 p.m. inside of the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center.