NAMPA, Idaho – Northwest Nazarene women's basketball led for most of the evening against Eastern Oregon, wearing down the Mountaineers for a 75-64 win.
 
With the victory, NNU gets back even on the year at 5-5.
 
The Nighthawks shot 47% from the field and dished out 23 assists on 31 made baskets. NNU had a bit of trouble taking care of the ball, giving away 25 turnovers, but the Nighthawks were able to force 31 turnovers by Eastern Oregon.
 
"Our offense was much better tonight as far as shooting the ball and moving the ball," said head coach Steve Steele. "We're seeing more improvement every week, we just need longer stretches of consistent play."
 
Nyalam Thabach led the Nighthawks with 15 points and seven rebounds on 7-10 shooting from the field. Three others were in double figures, as Clare Eubanks tallied 14 points and eight boards, Erin Jenkins had 13 points, and McKenna Emerson finished with 13 points and four steals. Emerson and Haley Hanson also combined to go 5-7 from deep.
 
"Our posts worked really hard to get position, and when we got them the ball they were able to do good things," said Steele. "It was also nice to see McKenna and Haley shoot the ball well."
 
NNU battled to a two-point advantage, 25-23, after the first quarter, but buckled down on defense in the second period to build a lead of nine, 44-35, at the break.
 
The Nighthawks continued that momentum into the third quarter, extending the lead all the way to 22 points on a Jordan Pinson jumper that made it 59-37 with 3:38 on the clock.
 
The Mountaineers got a few points back in the final moments, but NNU was able to cruise to the 75-64 victory.