NAMPA, ID – The Northwest Nazarene women's basketball team hosted the Seattle Pacific Falcons on Thursday the 12th for their Breast Cancer Awareness game. In a well-contested matchup, the Nighthawks pulled away for an impressive 93–57 victory.
Both teams opened with a slower tempo before Kendall Clark knocked down a jumper to spark the Nighthawks' offense, followed by a pull-up from Kelly Garrity. NNU built on that early momentum when Sadi Clemons secured a defensive rebound and pushed it ahead to Trinidie Nichols for a fast-break three, giving the Nighthawks a 9–2 edge.
While the pace settled again, Claire Fischer continued to establish a presence in the paint and Allie Hueckman drained two timely threes to keep the pressure on. NNU closed the quarter firmly in control, leading 25–10.
Seattle Pacific looked to chip away at the deficit in the second quarter, with Grace Mertes knocking down an early three to give the Falcons a spark. The Nighthawks responded immediately. Beaux Bruegman went to work inside, Hueckman connected on two more shots from beyond the arc, and Rylie Edlefsen added a three of her own to stretch the lead to 21. SPU found some late success from deep, but NNU carried a strong 51–31 advantage into halftime.
The third quarter was marked by foul trouble on both sides, sending much of the action to the free-throw line. With both teams steady at the stripe, NNU relied on key baskets from Bruegman, Hueckman, and Fischer to maintain control. The Nighthawks never let up, heading into the final quarter with a commanding 72–43 lead.
The Nighthawks put the game away in the final quarter. Although their shooting cooled off compared to earlier periods, they locked in defensively and refused to let Seattle Pacific make a run. NNU dominated the glass, outrebounding the Falcons 18–11 in the quarter, while adding two steals and forcing three SPU turnovers to stay in control.
When the final buzzer sounded, the Nighthawks secured a dominant 93–57 victory.
Claire Fischer led the Nighthawks with an amazing all around performance recording 20 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals.
The Nighthawks will be back in the Johnson Sports Center on Saturday the 14th to go head to head with Montana State Billings at 5:15 pm. Prior to the start of the game the Nighthawks will take a minute to recognize their senior athletes, Trinidie Nichols, Jené Wells, and Sadi Clemons.
