OLYMPIA, Wash. - A solid effort for three quarters by Warner Pacific was undone by a rough final period, resulting in a 74-64 loss to Evergreen in Cascade Collegiate Conference women's basketball action at Costantino Recreation Center.

The Knights put themselves in position to win their first conference game of the season by shooting 7-for-9 from three-point range in the second quarter when they outscored the hosts, 27-23, on the way to building a 40-32 halftime bulge.

The long-range accuracy didn't stay with Warner Pacific in the final 20 minutes of the game, however, and their inability to consistently find the basket contrasted with Evergreen's effectiveness in the final 10 minutes of the contest.

"It's been our story this season," said coach Matt Gregg. "We can look really good for stretches - a team that can win games - but then we'll go into periods where we really struggle to score. We've got to play 40 minutes of consistent basketball and get away from the extreme highs and lows."

Still, the game was tied at 54-54 with 7:50 to play when Evergreen finally pulled away by scoring nine of the next 11 points. Kylie Gorton hit a three-pointer to start the run and Fenumiai added the next six on a trio of layups. That gave the Geoducks a 63-56 lead with 4:33 to play, and they added to the lead until the final buzzer.

Gabi Fenumiai put together solid back-to-back performances for the winners, scoring 27 points and grabbing nine rebounds against Warner Pacific after a 25-point, 12-rebound effort against Multnomah. The senior post from Alaska was 12-for-16 from the field, most of those coming near the basket on assists from teammates or rebound baskets.

The Geoducks shot 48 percent overall, but with the game on the line they were 8-for-13 from the field in the final quarter, outscoring the visitors 24-13 and overcoming a 51-50 deficit.

Kyeli Hendryx shot 5-for-7 from three-point range on the way to a 20-points performance for Warner Pacific, which also got 12 points from Bailey Allen and 11 points and five assists from Darbi Pink.


Story courtesy of Evergreen sports information