OLYMPIA, Wash. --
Mikail Montez (Sr., F/C) of The Evergreen State College scored a game-high 19 points, but Warner Pacific University rallied from a 15-point halftime deficit to defeat the Geoducks, 71-65 on Friday, Dec. 20 at the Costantino Recreation Center. Amalya Sales led the Knights with 16 points and four assists.
The Cascade Collegiate Conference win improved Warner Pacific to 4-6 on the season, 1-3 in the CCC. Evergreen fell to 1-5 overall, 1-3 in the CCC.
Evergreen led 15-10 at the end of the first quarter and held a 40-27 advantage at halftime. The Knights outscored the Geoducks 44-25 in the second half.
On her way to accumulating 19 points, Montez hit 3 of 3 shots from 3-point range. Overall, she was 7 of 14 form the field. Montez also hauled down five rebounds and earned two assists.Â
Three other Geoducks reached double figures.
Sydney VanNess (Sr., G/F) contributed 16 points to go with six rebounds and four assists.
Jalyn Sackrider (Sr., F/C) tacked on 13 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and blocked two shots.
Allison DeBerry (Sr., G) finished with 10 points and led all players with four steals.
Sales was one of three players in double digits for the Knights. Skylar Groesbeck tallied 12 points and recorded eight rebounds. Paityn Rhode achieved 11 points. Alexa Mee topped the Knights with nine rebounds
Evergreen trailed 6-5 with 8:22 left in the first quarter, but the Geoducks scored the next eight points on three baskets by Sackrider and two free throws from Montez. WPU cut the margin to 13-10 on a jumper by Rhode with 2:33 on the clock. Evergreen tallied the final points of the quarter on a layup by VanNess 27 seconds to go.
A 9-0 run by the Geoducks to start the second quarter increased the lead to 24-10 with 7:35 remaining in the half. The offensive surge included one 3-pointer each by
Kadance Blankers (Jr., G) and Montez. Warner Pacific moved within 27-17 on a 3-pointer by Sales at the 6:08 mark. The Geoducks scored the next seven points, starting with a traditional three-point play by VanNess for a 34-17 margin.
The Geoducks scored first in the third quarter on a layup by Montez, but the Knights countered with a 10-0 run to cut the lead to 42-37 with 4:36 on the clock. Groesbeck hit 1 of 2 free throws to complete the run after Sackrider picked up her fourth foul of the game.
Evergreen led 46-39 following a jumper from VanNess with 3:44 to go in the quarter. The Geoducks were in front 50-49 entering the fourth quarter.
WPU grabbed a 51-50 lead when Rhode sank a pair of free throws with 9:43 remaining. Rhode soon added another free throw before VanNess gave Evergreen a 53-52 edge with a 3-point shot. Evergreen added a jumper by Montez with 6:43 to play. The Knights eventually moved in front 57-55, but a jumper by Sackrider tied the score at the 5:11 mark.
The next six points were tallied by Warner Pacific for a 63-57 lead with 2:49 left. Evergreen pulled within 63-60 on a jumper by VanNess with 1:26 remaining but couldn't get closer. The Knights hit 8 of 12 free throws in the final minute to secure the win.
Evergreen shot 41.7% on field goals (25 of 60) and made 5 of 17 three-pointers (29.4%). The Geoducks were 10 of 15 at the free throw line. WPU was 18 for 52 from the field (34.6%), including 7 for 26 (26.9%) on 3-point shots. The Knights converted 28 of 37 free throws (75.7%).
The Geoducks will remain at home to take on Multnomah on Saturday, Dec. 21. Game time at the CRS is set for 3 p.m. PST.
