The Basics

• Final score: Western Oregon 51, Northwest Nazarene 63
• Records: WOU 3-15, 2-8 GNAC; NNU 6-10, 4-6 GNAC
• While the Wolves still lead in the all-time series, the Crusaders improved to 34-41.
• Location: Monmouth, Ore. – New P.E. Building

 
How It Happened
Western Oregon began the game, carrying the energy on their shoulders. With the help of two three-pointers from Michelle Bromagem and Jordan Mottershaw to start off the Wolves, the women began to build momentum.
 
In the second quarter, the momentum flipped as the Crusaders began to consistently hit their shots and pull away from the Wolves. While the Wolves shot 40.9 percent from the field, and Kaylie Boschma finished the half, leading the Wolves with eight points, Western Oregon went into the locker room with the disadvantage at 36-22.
 
The Wolves spent the third quarter playing catch-up with the Crusaders, but turnovers became a concern for Western Oregon, and Northwest Nazarene constantly held at least a 13-point advantage after the first minute. In the fourth, Western Oregon still pushed to regain the lead and came within nine points after two free throws from Emily Howey. However, the Wolves would not get any closer, and the Crusaders took the victory.
 
Wolves' Top Performers

• Natalie DeLonge posted 10 points, going 4-for-8 from the field and 2-for-2 at the free throw line. She also had three rebounds.
• Kaylie Boschma obtained the most rebounds for the Wolves with six boards. Along with her eight points, she totaled seven rebounds and two steals for the night.
• Jordan Mottershaw added eight points and took the most three-point attempts out of all scorers, going 2-for-6 behind the arc. She provided three assists.
• Sydney Azorr had seven points, went 4-for-4 at the free throw line, and recorded three assists, six rebounds, and two steals.

 
For the Crusaders

• McKenna Walker finished the first half and the game with 16 points, scoring four of nine field goal attempts and seven of nine free throw attempts. She also had three rebounds and four steals.
• Ellie Logan totaled 12 points, six rebounds, and two steals.
• Taylor Simmons added 10 points, and she also finished all four of her free throw attempts. Simmons contributed four assists, two rebounds, and three steals.

 
Stats of the Game

• Western Oregon took their chances, finishing 15 of 50 field goal attempts, five of 19 three-point attempts, and 16 of 18 free throw attempts.
• Northwest Nazarene converted 28 points off of Western Oregon's 24 turnovers, while the Wolves scored four points off of the Crusaders' 15 miscues.
• The Wolves kept up in rebounds and assists with the Crusaders. They totaled 34 boards, compared to Northwest Nazarene's 38, and had 11 assists, while the Crusaders had 14.
• Western Oregon recorded 10 steals for the night, which is above their average of 6.5 steals per game.
• The Crusaders won the point battle in the paint, 32-18, as well as the battle in second chance points, 14-4.
• Western Oregon led for 05:48 of the 40-minute game, whereas the Crusaders led for 31:43.

 
Coach Quotes
WOU head coach Holli Howard-Carpenter after the loss:

• "We did a good job executing our defensive game plan but had a rough second quarter on both sides of the ball. We didn't value the ball and Nazarene converted on our turnovers. We played a much more even second half and got open looks but just weren't able to knock them down to close the gap."
• "Natalie and Kaylie gave us great energy off the bench. They ran the floor hard, crashed the boards and were aggressive going to the basket. I look for them to continue to get better and really contribute going into the second half of GNAC play."

 
Up Next
The Wolves will hit the road to Western Washington on Thursday, January 28 and Simon Fraser on Saturday, January 30.