LACEY, Wash. – Northwest Nazarene women's basketball overcame a very slow start and 16-point first half deficit to knock off Saint Martin's 66-58 on Thursday night.
How It Happened
SMU made their first four shots and NNU was cold to start, as the Saints jumped out to a 15-0 lead after five minutes of play.
The Nighthawks were able to stop the bleeding, though, and did not let the deficit get any worse over the rest of the half as SMU went into the break up 11, 31-20.
Things didn't change much in the third quarter, as the teams traded baskets with the Saints extending their lead by one before the final period of play.
The fourth quarter was an entirely different story, however, as the Nighthawks finally established themselves on both ends of the floor, outscoring the Saints by 20, 31-11.
It was
Teagan Thurman that gave NNU its first lead of the game, hitting a jumper with 2:06 remaining that put the Nighthawks up 55-54. SMU responded with a layup on the other end, but NNU countered with a deep triple from
Cami Knishka that put the Nighthawks up for good.
NNU would go 8-8 from the free throw line for the rest of the game, earning the eight-point win.
Nighthawks Notes
- NNU improves to 8-6 in GNAC play and 14-8 overall as they snap a brief two-game skid.
- Erin Jenkins led the Nighthawks with 18 points, going 8-14 from the field.
- Cami Knishka was next with 13 points, including 3-5 from deep.
- Lydia Nieto added 12 points and three steals, while Kate Clark had seven points and four assists.
- A huge key to the game came in the turnover battle, with NNU committing just 10 while forcing 25 Saints giveaways.
Next Up
The Nighthawks will have two more games in the next four days, visiting Western Oregon on Saturday and Western Washington on Monday.
