NAMPA, Idaho – The Northwest Nazarene women's basketball team always knew this season would hinge on the play of its bountiful freshmen.

The way the youngsters have been playing lately, things are certainly looking up.

Five freshmen had nearly half of the Nighthawks' points Thursday as NNU used a big fourth quarter to roll past Concordia 74-52 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action.

"I feel like all of us freshmen are getting into the rhythm of our offense," Emma Clark said. "We are starting to know when to take chances and when to get the ball moving."

Clark had 10 points in 10 minutes in the first half, finishing with 12 overall. Freshman post Clare Eubanks had 10 points, nine rebounds and three steals, while Nicole Gall had six points and McKenna Emerson five.

"It takes (freshmen) awhile to get comfortable with our system and the level of play," NNU coach Steve Steele said. "They aren't used to playing such a long season, but once they push through that wall in January a lot of times their comfort level and their confidence level have soared.

"Hopefully, that is what we are seeing right now."
 

The seven freshmen include Clark, Eubanks, Gall, Emerson, Haley Hanson, Cami Knishka and Ellie Salisbury. In a crucial overtime win at Simon Fraser on Saturday, four freshmen played nearly all of overtime because of foul trouble.

"I feel like we are getting more comfortable and getting into the system," Eubanks said. "We are learning how to do the little details right."

The victory was the fourth in a row for the Nighthawks (19-6 overall, 14-3 GNAC), who are in second place in the GNAC with three games to play. They were ranked No. 5 in the most recent NCAA West Region poll, with the top eight teams advancing to the national tournament.

On Thursday, NNU came out a bit flat against Concordia before flipping the switch in the fourth quarter.

The Nighthawks outscored the Cavaliers 21-6 in the final 10 minutes to blow the game wide open.

After the Cavs pulled within 57-50 with 6 minutes, 46 seconds remaining, the Nighthawks went on a 17-2 run.

Marina Valles started it with a steal and a layup, Emerson had a three-point play and a layup, Eubanks hit back-to-back jumpers and assisted a Valles layup for a 70-50 lead with 2:56 left. Eubanks and Zoe Wessels capped the run with a pair of jumpers.

"I feel like we didn't really have energy and when the bench came alive it got us going," Eubanks said.

Avery Albrecht finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and four steals, while Valles had 10 points and five assists. Jordan Pinson added nine points.

Dorcas Wu's 14 points and five rebounds led Concordia (5-20, 4-13).

The Nighthawks host Western Oregon at 5:15 p.m. Saturday in the final home game of the season.