NAMPA, Idaho – Northwest Nazarene built a 30-point halftime advantage on Saturday night in the Johnson Sports Center to defeat The College of Idaho 100-72.
The Nighthawks (7-3) forced the Yotes into 23 turnovers in the first 20 minutes with a relentless pressure defense that was sparked by Marina Valles and McKenna Emerson, who each posted four first half steals.
As a result of the effective defensive effort, NNU broke out to a 22-2 lead right out of the chutes, including the 58-28 edge at the break.
It was a different story in the second half for the Yotes, who outscored the Nighthawks 44-42 in the final 20 minutes.
Emily Harwood had a strong game on the inside for C of I, leading the team in scoring for the first time this season with 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Harwood also added nine rebounds.
Mackenzie Royce-Radford was the other double-digit scorer for the Yotes on Saturday, chipping in 11 points and posting five rebounds and four assists.
Off the bench,
Hannah Maupin and
Allie Cannon provided a spark, with Maupin contributing eight points and four rebounds and Cannon scoring seven points and hauling in three rebounds.
C of I won the rebounding battle 41-32, but NNU shot 50 percent (34-of-68) from the floor and 45 percent (9-of-20) on 3-pointers. The Nighthawks also forced 31 turnovers on the defensive side of the floor.
NNU was led in scoring by the 17 points of Erin Jenkins, who also finished with four steals, two rebounds and two assists. Marina Valles added 16 points, five rebounds, six assists and four steals and Avery Albrecht posted 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal.
Saturday's game was an exhibition for C of I in the series against NNU for the 12th consecutive time, with the Nighthawks winning each of those affairs. The Yotes drop to 0-20 in the overall all-time series in Nampa.
Cascade Conference play continues for C of I next Friday night in Klamath Falls against Oregon Tech. The Yotes are off to a 2-0 start in CCC action for the first time since the 2012-13 campaign.
