NAMPA, Idaho -  Defense paved the way for the Northwest Nazarene University women's basketball team as they forced 27 turnovers in a 73-62 win over Seattle University in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference game on Thursday night at the Johnson Sports Center.
   
“We put a lot of time in on our defense and the ladies showed that tonight in the second half” commented head coach Kelli Lindley on her ladies defensive performance in the second half in which 16 of Seattle U's turnovers came.
   
The Crusaders scored 27 points off those 24 turnovers and despite shooting a mere 36-percent from the field, pulled away for the 11-point victory.
   
Leading the way for the Crusaders was Janee Olds with 16 points. Also in double digits was senior co-caption Nicki Schutte with 10 points and 6 boards. Every Crusader that saw minutes scored for NNU with 40 of the 73 points coming from NNU's deep bench.
   
The Crusaders trailed 40-29 with 1:40 left in the opening half, but scored the final seven points of the half and outscored the Redhawks 37-22 in the second half, also out-rebounding the Redhawks 40-32.
   
Pacing the Redhawks was Chelsie Morrison with a game-high 17 points and 10 boards to give her the game's only double-double. Also in double digits for Seattle University were Laina Sobczak with 16, Jackie Thomas with 10 and Quinn Brewe with 14. 
   
The fourth straight win for the Crusaders pushes them to 12-4 on the year and 5-2 in GNAC play.  The Redhawks fall to 12-3 overall and 3-3 in GNAC games.

NNU will next face MSU Billings on Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m. in the second game of an NNU basketball doubleheader with the men's team facing Western Oregon at 2 p.m.