Broncos Rally with 18-1 Second Half Run to Topple (RV) Red Raiders
(Orange City, IA) – Looking for a big road win to start the second semester, the women’s basketball team did just that with a 69-60 comeback win at (RV) Northwestern on Thursday, using an 18-1 third quarter run to outlast the Red Raiders.
(Orange City, IA) – Looking for a big road win to start the second semester, the women's basketball team did just that with a 69-60 comeback win at (RV) Northwestern on Thursday, using an 18-1 third quarter run to outlast the Red Raiders.
Hastings came out ready to play, outsourcing Northwestern 9-2 in the first four minutes of the game. Freshman McKenna Yates drilled a three-pointer on their first possession, then after a missed three by the Red Raiders, Yates knocked down a jumper at the other end. Hastings forced another Northwestern miss from deep and Yates found junior Mariyah Avila for a layup to go up 7-0.
The Red Raiders finally got on the board three minutes into the game on a basket inside, but Hastings answered back seconds later with a basket from sophomore Tathis Arredondo to take a 9-2 lead. Northwestern clawed back, getting to within one at 11-10 with 1:32 left. Sophomore Rachel Goodon scored the last bucket of the quarter, as the Broncos held a 13-10 lead after one.
Avila answered a Red Raider basket with a three to put the Broncos up 16-12, then after a Northwestern basket, Yates converted on a three-point play inside. Hastings led 19-14 after that basket, but Northwestern responded with an 8-0 run. Freshman Adyson Mlnarik and senior Kiernan Paulk helped keep the Broncos close with a couple threes, but Northwestern managed to take a 34-27 lead into the break.
Northwestern held Hastings to 29 percent shooting in the first half, while they shot 44 percent. Yates had eight points and Avila also had seven to lead the Broncos in scoring at halftime.
At the start of the second half, the Red Raiders held the Broncos without a basket for the first four possessions and converted twice on their end to go up 38-27. Hastings went on their game-changing run two-and-a-half minutes into the quarter that included some great defensive plays, scoring 18 of the next 19 points to go up 45-39. Avila scored the first five points of the run, then Avila stole the ball and found senior Alyssa Baker on a rim run to get within five.
Hastings forced a couple of missed three-pointers on each of their next two defensive possessions and capitalized at the other end with baskets from Yates and Goodon to trim the lead to 39-38 with 5:25 left in the third quarter. Baker stepped to the line later in the period and knocked both down to give Hastings the lead, then scored on their next offensive play to go up three. Avila concluded the run with a three, putting Hastings up 45-39 with 3:31 to go.
Northwestern was able to weather the storm slightly the rest of the third quarter with some made shots, but Hastings closed the quarter strong as well, holding onto a 52-47 lead as they outscored the Red Raiders 25-13 in the quarter. Avila (10) and Baker (9) had 19 of the Hastings points alone in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter was tight, with neither team wanting to give any ground. Northwestern cut the lead to one at 55-54 with 5:46 left, but Hastings would not surrender the lead. Goodon found Yates on a beautiful backdoor cut for a layup, then after a Red Raider layup, Goodon scored inside on a strong take late in the shot clock with 4:15 left. Northwestern split a pair at the line on their next trip down, then Goodon made another great backdoor pass, this time to a cutting Avila for an easy layup to put Hastings up four.
A Northwestern three with 3:07 cut the lead to one, but Hastings executed well again on offense late by overloading the ball-side corner, freeing up a pass to Goodon at the free throw line, who attacked the weak side and finished strong inside to go back up three. Hastings forced two straight empty possessions by Northwestern and Goodon added a free throw to push the lead to four with a minute left.
Yates made a terrific defensive play on a drive by Northwestern on the ensuing play that looked to be an easy two by forcing a miss to preserve the two-possession lead. Yates was fouled afterwards, making one at the line. Hastings held strong defensively the rest of the way and made their free throws to hold off Northwestern, 69-60.
Hastings shot 50 percent in the second half, while holding Northwestern to 37 percent. Hastings also controlled the tempo in the second half, turning it over just four times and forcing eight turnovers.
Avila had a season-high 19 points to lead the way, including the 10 third quarter points. Baker scored all 11 of her points in the second half coming off the bench, while Goodon recorded her second-straight double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, along with a team-high five assists and a pair of blocks. Yates also added 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Up next, Hastings will return home to host #9 Briar Cliff on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 2pm in Lynn Farrell Arena.
