The Evergreen women’s basketball team hosted Northwest Christian University Friday night (Jan. 22) in perhaps the most crucial must-win game to date for the Lady Geoducks. The top eight teams in the Cascade Collegiate Conference advance to the post season tournament at the end of February and TESC sat in the “first team out” position in ninth place coming into the game.
In their last meeting against NCU, the Geoducks prevailed by just one point on the road. Donning their home white uniforms, the Geoducks came out punching as Angel Stewart put the first points of the game on the board with a short range jumper from the right wing. The Beacons did not back down, however; they matched the Geoducks almost basket for basket in the first half and trailed by only five points going into halftime.
Early in the second half Evergreen was up by as much as 10 points and it looked like they’d run away with the game. However, having already had 11 games decided by five points or less it was no surprise when the Beacons staged an unbelievable run midway through the second half and took the lead with under eight minutes to go in the game. The run and gun Geoducks were pesky on defense and forced NCU into a shot clock violation and got the ball back down 51-50. Neither team let up and Geoduck fans relaxed a little when Tana Palmason came to the free throw line with two shots down by just one point at 54-53. Palmason missed the first of two and the Geoduck faithful all seemed to be holding their breath at the same time. After Palmason missed the second free throw an almost choreographed exhale was let out and the momentum was now all on Northwest Christian’s side. E-State had one more trick up their sleeve, however. The Geoducks came up big when it counted and got a defensive stop and with nine seconds left Alex Saab drained a long distance three to drive the stake into NCU’s heart. The roar from the crowd was deafening. Northwest Christian would not be able to convert on their final possession and the Geoducks would again prevail, this time by two in a 57-55 win.
Latrina Woods played lights out the whole night and left it all on the court. Her 21 points, three rebounds, and three steals set the pace for the Geoducks in the win. Katie Garcin had a huge 13 points and six rebounds. Alex Saab had five points, three assists, and three steals, but no one would argue that three of her five points may have been the most clutch of the whole season. Coach Monica Heuer was proud that her team “came out very disciplined.” As for the game plan, Heuer added, “We executed, that’s what we’ve been working on all season. Earlier in the year we wouldn’t have got a shot up.” The shot coach Heuer was referring to was Saab’s game winning three.
Saturday night (Jan. 23)
One night after one the most exciting finishes of the Evergreen women’s basketball team’s season, they took on a dangerous Corban College team that is fighting to stay alive in the conference standings. There would not be as much drama in this one, however, as the Geoducks (9-14 Overall, 4-7 CCC) rolled past Corban (8-15 Overall, 3-8 CCC) 72-63 in a game with huge post-season implications.
Tana Palmason was the unlikely leading scorer for the Geoducks posting 18 points while adding 3 rebounds and 3 steals. Latrina Woods had a balanced line of 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Senior Katie Garcin added 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block.
The Geoducks improved their conference ranking from ninth place to a tie for seventh with Southern Oregon University, a team the Geoducks have beaten already this season. The Geoducks host Northwest University of Kirkland - not to be confused with Northwest Christian University of Eugene - Friday night at 5:30 at the CRC gym. Admission is free for students with their I.D.
