FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 30^th, 2023
 
Portland, Ore. | The Knights came back from the Christmas break rested and ready to break their three-game losing streak tonight against rival Multnomah in which they succeeded in doing so winning by a final of 77-70.
 
The game started off Teirra Hicks 8 Multnomah 0 as she got off to a blistering start hitting two threes from the same spot just left of the center of the arc. She followed those threes with a nifty layup causing the Knights to go up 8-0 in quick fashion. Hicks finished the quarter scoring two more to end with 10 leading all scorers in the quarter.
 
The second quarter saw Hicks, Paityn Rhode, and Hannah Harris score 5 while Emily Brown helped out with a bucket as well. The third quarter was owned by Rhode who hit 3-3 from three and knocked in a free throw to boot. She helped the Knights take a 53-48 lead into the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter saw a plethora of scoring as the Knights scored 24 and the Lions scored 22 in the quarter. Rhode added another 10 in the quarter to help the Knights secure the 77-70 victory to end 2023 off in successful fashion.

"The team did a great job of controlling the glass and finding the hot hands throughout the game," Head Coach Jimmy Smith said. "At different moments numerous individuals stepped up to help with a great team win. It also helps when a player (Paityn Rhode) goes off like she did and really helps us off the bench. An outstanding way to end 2023 and head into 2024."
 
The Knights were led in scoring tonight by Paityn Rhode who shot 7-8 with 25 points which is career high in points for her during her couple years at WPU. She also raked in 4 boards and had a blocked shot. Teirra Hicks finished with a near double double with 15 points, 9 boards, and 3 assists. Emily Brown was big tonight as well with 14 points and 7 boards. McKeeley Tonkin rounded out the Knights in double figures with 10 and also had 5 rebounds and a steal.

The Knights for the game shot 45.8% from the field and went 9-22 from three good enough for 40.9% from range.

Next Up
The Knights will enjoy a couple days to celebrate the New Year and will return to practice next Tuesday before taking off to Klamath Falls next Friday to take on Oregon Tech at 5:30pm.