TURLOCK, Calif. - Northwest Nazarene women's basketball got off to a great start in their season opener on Friday, but couldn't hold on down the stretch against Cal State East Bay as the Pioneers took a 60-54 come-from-behind win.

The Nighthawks' defense locked East Bay down in the first quarter, holding the Pioneers to just 3-13 shooting to take a 14-6 lead after one. That lead grew to 35-22 at halftime.

East Bay chipped away at the lead slightly in the third, cutting the NNU lead to nine with 10 minutes to play. The fourth quarter belonged to the Pioneers, though, as they outscored the Nighthawks 22-7 to earn the six-point victory.

Teagan Thurman led NNU with 14 points, followed by Ashlynn Sylve with eight. Erin Jenkins and Clare Eubanks both had seven as well.

Sylve and Eubanks led the rebounding efforts with six apiece, while three Nighthawks had two assists each.

NNU shot just 2-18 from three-point range and struggled to take care of the ball as well, committing 25 turnovers. 

The Nighthawks will regroup and play again tomorrow, this time a true road game against Stanislaus State at 3:00 p.m. Pacific. Read Full Article