Dec. 9, 2006

Carras Leads Corban Past Pacific Lutheran, 61-44

Game Statistics

Nikki Johnson - 12 points, 13 rebounds

TACOMA, Wash. – Brianne Carras scored 15 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to lead the visiting Corban College Warriors to a 61-44 non-conference women’s basketball victory over the Pacific Lutheran Lutes on Saturday night in Olson Auditorium.

Corban, a NAIA school based in Salem, Ore., shot 50 percent from the field and 83 percent from the free throw line, and defensively limited the Lutes to 32 percent shooting.

Carras was tough on the Lutes inside, hitting 6-of-8 shots from the field while also controlling the backboards with nine of her 13 rebounds coming on the defensive end. Jessica Steigleman added 12 points and Tosha Wilson chipped in with 10 points and five assists for the Warriors, who improved to 8-4 this season.

Senior wing Nikki Johnson paced the Lutes, now 5-3, with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Trish Buckingham added 11 points for Pacific Lutheran.

The Lutes took a 2-0 lead on Buckingham’s jumper with 18:23 left in the first half, but that was the only time they led. Corban responded by scoring the next 12 consecutive points, with Carras and Hillary Sell both getting four of those. Pacific Lutheran was able to close to within four points, 18-14, on a pair of free throws by Nikki Scott with 7:58 left in the first half, but the Warriors then ran off nine points in a row. Kendall Dionne’s three-point field goal capped the run and gave the visitors their biggest lead of the opening half, 27-14, with 2:57 left.

After trailing 29-19 at the intermission, the Lutes were able to cut their deficit to two points on several occasions in the second half, the last at 42-40 on a leaner in the lane by Kyle Haag lane with 9:55 left in the game. Corban went on an 8-0 run to regain control and eventually sealed the outcome by out-scoring the Lutes, 19-4, in the final 10 minutes.

Pacific Lutheran returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 16, when it hosts Northwest University in a non-conference contest at 6 p.m. in Olson Auditorium. Corban’s next game is Friday, Dec. 15, at home against Western Oregon.

- PLU -