PORTLAND, Ore. – The Northwest Nazarene women's basketball team saw nearly all of its 15-point lead evaporate in the second half Saturday.

Rather than panic, though, the Nighthawks spread the ball around and used a late run to defeat Concordia 79-70 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action.

"We were tough and we didn't panic when it got close on the road," NNU coach Steve Steele said. "I think the difference was, they had one kid that was hurting us (Dorcas Wu) and we were able to spread it around a bit more and that might have been the difference in the game."

NNU (13-5 overall, 8-2 GNAC) led 54-39 with 5 minutes, 40 seconds remaining in the third quarter when Concordia went on an 18-4 run to pull within 58-57 with 6:22 left in the fourth quarter.

"They did a good job of finding mismatches," Steele said. "They are bigger than us at every spot and start four players 6-feet and taller. There is always going to be some kind of mismatch and they did a good job of finding the right one."

Nicole Gall's three-point play put a stop that run, but the game was tight nearly the rest of the way.

After Concordia (3-15, 2-8) pulled within 66-63 with 3:46 left, the Nighthawks went on a 10-4 run to put the game out of reach.

Avery Albrecht hit a free throw and then Erin Jenkins had a pair of layups and a 3-pointer sandwiched around two free throws from Marina Valles.

The Nighthawks rode hot-hands throughout the game as Albrecht started out with a quick seven points. Clare Eubanks, Gall, McKenna Emerson, Valles and finally Jenkins all had turns with offensive runs.

NNU had five players in double figures.

Gall finished with a career-high 16 points and five rebounds. Valles had 16 points, four assists, three steals and three rebounds before fouling out. Albrecht finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, Emerson had 13 points and five rebounds and Jenkins had 12 points and five rebounds.

The victory completed a road sweep for the Nighthawks, who had lost two-of-three before that.

"It is a good feeling," Steele said. "Sometimes when you lose, you feel like you are never going to win again especially when you hit the road."

The Nighthawks have a short turnaround, hosting Central Washington at 7 p.m. Tuesday.