SALEM, Ore. – The RV Corban University Women's Basketball team wasted little time making a statement in its regular season home opener on Friday evening, drilling a program-best 21 three-pointers and leading wire-to-wire in a commanding 102-68 victory over Simpson University inside the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center to open the 2026 Corban Classic.
"We obviously came out with a lot of fire power in that first and second quarter, and that all happens because of Nina and her career night," began Corban head coach Kylie Frizell. "The work that she's put in over the past few years really came together tonight, and it was just so cool to see her efforts pay off. But Nina and our team are just getting started and seeing that offensive firepower is awesome. There are some things we need to clean up still, most notably that third quarter where we just struggled with reestablishing our identity. Credit to Simpson and their press, as it caused us to lose our offensive flow and not play basketball the way we do at Corban. Additionally, we need to clean up some things on the rebounding efforts, but overall, I'm pleased with tonight's result."
Fresh off earning both CCC and NAIA Offensive Player of the Week honors, redshirt junior guard Jersey Huerta once again paced the Navy and Gold offensively with a game-high 24 points. However, it was junior guard Nina Peterson who stole the spotlight, erupting for 22 points while knocking down six triples and snatching six steals in one of the best all-around performances of her Corban career.
The Dubs (2-1) put the game away almost immediately. After forcing turnovers on three of Simpson's first four possessions, Corban raced out to a double-digit lead less than three minutes into the contest. Consecutive three-pointers from Peterson, Huerta, and redshirt junior guard Lizzy Bennett fueled a 20-7 start, and Peterson's fourth triple of the opening quarter helped the Warriors build a commanding 32-13 advantage after ten minutes of play.
Corban never allowed the Redhawks back into the contest. The Warriors opened the second quarter with back-to-back Huerta three-pointers and later received a spark from junior guard Kylie Ihrig, who buried consecutive triples midway through the frame. By halftime, Corban had stretched its lead to 53-24 while shooting 46.4% from beyond the arc and forcing 17 Simpson turnovers.
Simpson found some offensive rhythm after the break, shooting 50% from the field in the third quarter and trimming the deficit to 18 points on multiple occasions. Yet every Redhawk push was answered by the Warriors, who closed the period on a 15-8 run behind key baskets from Huerta, Peterson, senior guard Tayla Yost, and junior guard Abigail Winslow to take a 68-48 lead into the final stanza.
The Navy and Gold then delivered their most efficient quarter of the night. Corban shot a blistering 70.6% from the floor and 60% from long range in the fourth period, outscoring Simpson 34-20. Sophomore guard Izzy McCauley caught fire late, knocking down four three-pointers in the quarter and scoring all 12 of her points over the final ten minutes to push the margin back beyond thirty points.
Peterson and Huerta led a three-point bombardment against the Red Hawks, as they cashed in on 21 triples as a team, besting the previous single game record in program history by two made baskets while also setting a new single game-high with 45 three-point attempts. Despite the extremely high number of attempts from beyond the arc, the Navy and Gold still shot over 46% from deep.
Corban finished the night shooting 50% from the floor while holding Simpson to 36.9% shooting overall. The Warriors also dominated the glass with a 45-33 rebounding advantage and converted 23 Redhawk turnovers into 27 points.
Alongside Peterson and Huerta, multiple Warriors reached double figures. McCauley finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, and a block, while Yost contributed 13 points and six rebounds despite playing only 12 minutes due to early foul trouble. Redshirt freshman guard Ava Mai added 10 points and three assists, and Bennett chipped in six points, three rebounds, two blocks, and two steals.
Corban's depth was on full display throughout the evening, with eleven different players finding the scoring column and the Warrior bench contributing 31 points. Winslow added five points, four assists, and three steals, while Ihrig scored six points and handed out four assists in reserve duty.
For Simpson, Jessie Slade and Taylor Sutherland paced the offense with 13 points apiece, while Carlesia Adams and Moriah Bowles added nine points each. The Redhawks never led and trailed by as many as 34 points in the second half even despite a highly efficient third quarter.
The Warriors will conclude play at the 2026 Corban Classic tomorrow afternoon when they host Lewis & Clark College on Tim Hills Court at 6pm, looking to remain unbeaten on their home floor and secure their third victory of the young season.
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