ARCATA, Calif. - NNU Women's Basketball traveled to California on Saturday, Nov. 15th to compete against Cal State East Bay. In an intense battle the Nighthawks worked their way to an 85-75 victory.
The Nighthawks battled through a fast, physical first quarter, trading baskets early while struggling to finish at the rim. Claire Fischer gave the Nighthawks a lift off the bench with key rebounds and strong free-throw shooting, while Kelly Garrity knocked down a timely three. In a foul-heavy, back-and-forth stretch filled with turnovers and substitutions, NNU steadied itself late at the line and edged out a 22-21 lead after the opening period.
NNU opened the second quarter with energy, getting quick baskets from Sadi Clemons and Claire Fischer to spark the offense. Despite a chaotic stretch filled with turnovers and constant substitutions, the Nighthawks found a boost from deep with big threes by Rylie Edlefsen and Chloe Deharo. The lead shifted several times as both teams traded free throws and transition buckets, but Fischer's steady late free throws pulled NNU within 40-41 at halftime
The Nighthawks kept fighting to stay in it as the second half got underway. Chloe Deharo and Kelly Garrity hit some clutch shots and the NNU defense forced key steals. Beaux Bruegman hit a huge three to give NNU the lead with under a minute to go, but a late technical and a couple of free throws by the Pioneers put them back on top. NNU heads into the fourth trailing 57-58.
The fourth saw NNU to victory as they relied on steals and fast breaks. Trinidie Nichols, Hadley Craig, and Clemons all scored in the paint, while Nichols hit a big three-pointer. Bruegman added key baskets, and clutch free throws from Deharo, Wells, and Nichols helped NNU hold the lead, finishing strong to win 85-75.
Chloe Deharo led the Nighthawks with 18 points, followed by Sadi Clemons with 13. Claire Fischer and Trinidie Nichols helped fuel the Nighthawks victory with eight rebounds each. Deharo was named Co-MVP of the tournament after the weekend along with Central Washington's Asher Cai.
The Nighthawks will be back on their home court Friday November 21st as they host the GNAC-PacWest Crossover tournament. Their first game will be against Westmont at 7:30 p.m. in the Johnson Sports Center.
