NAMPA, Idaho – Northwest Nazarene women's basketball used a big fourth quarter run to pull away from Montana State Billings on Saturday night, earning an 86-76 victory over the Yellowjackets in the regular season finale.
How It Happened
MSUB had the hot hand for the first few minutes, jumping out to an 8-2 lead after two and a half minutes. NNU slowly climbed back, taking a 14-13 lead on a pair of
Clare Eubanks free throws with 2:49 to play in the quarter.
NNU would build that lead, extending it to five at the end of one, 22-17. The Nighthawks would lead by as much as eight in the second quarter, but MSUB rallied just before halftime to take a 43-41 lead at the break.
The Yellowjackets would hold the lead for much of the third, but
Ashlynn Sylve hit a shot just before the buzzer to put NNU up 64-62.
The Nighthawks used that shot to build momentum, scoring the first nine points of the fourth quarter with a
Nyalam Thabach layup giving NNU a 73-62 advantage with 7:01 to play.
Erin Jenkins would give the Nighthawks their biggest lead of the game two minutes later, draining a triple to put NNU up seventeen, 81-64.
NNU would cruise to the finish from there, taking the ten-point victory, 86-76.
Nighthawks Notes
- NNU improves to 18-8 on the year and 12-6 in GNAC play as they head into the conference tournament next week. NNU will find out their seed later tonight when the conference calculates the final points standings.
- The Nighthawks close the regular season on a five-game win streak, looking to ride that momentum into the GNAC postseason.
- Teagan Thurman led NNU with 19 points, going 6-11 from the field and 5-6 from the line.
- On her Senior Night, Erin Jenkins tallied 15 points, going 6-9 from the floor including 3-4 from deep.
- Ashlynn Sylve was also in double figures with 12 points, while Ny Thabach finished with 11 points and two blocks.
- The Nighthawks racked up 22 assists, with Jordan Pinson recording eight and five apiece for Cami Knishka and Lydia Nieto.
- Turnovers were close, with MSUB committing 15 and NNU 11, but the Nighthawks had a significant advantage in points off those turnovers at 27-12.
Next Up
The GNAC Tournament will be next week from March 2-5, dually hosted by Saint Martin's and Seattle Pacific. All 10 teams are invited this year, and NNU will find out their seeding and opening game location following tonight's games.
