NAMPA, Idaho - The NNU women's basketball team came out strong offensively in the first half of their match up with the Western Washington Vikings. WWU applied pressure in the final quarters but the Nighthawks were able to secure the, 69-62 win.
The Nighthawks move to 7-5 overall on the season and sit at 2-2 in conference.
NNU came out strong in the first quarter with Kelly Garrity drilling a three in the first twenty seconds. The Vikings responded with their own three from Libby Stump as the teams cranked up the intensity. Baskets were shared throughout the quarter with the Nighthawks shooting 6-12 from the floor and 2-4 from the three point line. The Nighthawks intensity was matched on the defensive end as they put on a full court press forcing key turnovers. The quarter ended with the Nighthawks in the lead, 16-17.
The Nighthawks continued to apply pressure in the second coming out and shooting lights out. Hadley Craig, Garrity, and Claire Fischer found their way to capitalize in the paint and Trinidie Nichols sunk a three to keep momentum going. The NNU team shot 10-16 from the floor compared to the Vikings 4-16 which allowed them to build up a comfortable lead. As the clock hit under a minute Allie Hueckman and Jené both recorded threes to send the Nighthawks into half up, 42-24.
Coming out of halftime the Vikings regrouped and worked to cut the Nighthawks lead. Outscoring the NNU team 20-13, the WWU were able to shift some momentum to their side of the court leading to untimely NIghthawk fouls. However, the Nighthawks were able to maintain their composure and respond with enough offensive pressure to keep the lead, 55-44 as the quarter ended.
In the final quarter of the game Western Washington came out with the same energy they had in the third determined to overtake the Nighthawks. Finding a groove in the paint the Vikings put in key shots to cut the NNU's lead to 8 as the Nighthawks struggled to find a response on the offensive side. It all came down to the free throw line and the Nighthawks stepped up to the challenge securing their, 69-62 victory.
Trinidie Nichols led her team with 18 points and 3 steals. Kelly Garrity and Allie Hueckman also each contributed 11 points.
The Nighthawks will be back in the Johnson Sports Center on Saturday the 10th at 5:15 pm going head to head with the Simon Fraser Red Leafs.
