Box Score

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The Crusaders did almost everything right Friday night against host Academy of Art.

The Northwest Nazarene women's basketball team dominated the glass, outrebounding the Urban Knights, 52-41. NNU dished out 18 assists, shot 41 percent (25-of-61) from the field, knocked down an impressive 21-of-24 free-throw attempts and held Academy of Art to 27-of-79 (34.2 percent) shooting.

"I'm really, really proud of the focus we had tonight on rebounding," said NNU head women's basketball coach Ryan Bragdon, who added, "and our defense was solid against a very athletic offense."

But 26 turnovers – including 14 steals by the Urban Knights – provided costly, as did a couple of offensive boards during a crucial run that provided the smallest difference on the scoreboard in favor of host Academy of Art, which netted a 76-72 nonconference victory over the Crusaders.

NNU (3-5 overall, 1-1 GNAC) led 16-13 with seven minutes gone on an Ellie Logan bucket, and went to the locker room leading 37-35 after two CoCo Gall free throws.

A 15-4 run, capped up a Kayla Schumann layup to start the second half, put the Crusaders in command, up 52-39 with 15 ½ minute remaining.

Five turnovers over the next five minutes, and a pair of putbacks, helped the Urban Knights (6-3) chip away at the 13-point deficit, though, as they clawed as close as 54-52 down on a Krystal Forthan second-chance layup with 10 minutes remaining.

"It was just a three minute stretch rebounding that hurt us," Bragdon said. "We're continuing to learn how to finish possessions on defense by getting the rebound."

NNU still maintained the lead into the final five minutes, and led 68-66 on a Cierra White bucket, but couldn't pull away late.

Instead, the Crusaders tied it, 72-72, on two Gall free throws in the final 20 seconds, and after a Forthan bucket, had the chance to tie or go for the win.

But Forthan stepped in front of a pass, creating turnover No. 26, and sealing the win for the Academy of Art.

Gall finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds in the setback for the Crusaders, who also got 10 points and 11 rebounds from Katie Swanson and nine points and 14 boards from White.

Taylor Simmons chipped in 13 points and four assists and Logan scored 10 points for NNU, which returns to the court Saturday afternoon, playing at Dominican (Calif.) in another nonconference contest at 3 p.m. (MT).