Women's Basketball
1/22/2008 - Nault Just Enough Against Eagles
Irvine, CA- Senior Jasmine Nault scored a career high 36 points as Hope International knocked off GSAC rival Concordia, 77-76, on Tuesday. Nault pulled down 12 rebounds as well to complete the double-double.
The Royals (13-7, 4-4 GSAC) used a strong defense and solid shooting to control the first half. They hit 14-32 shots (44%) while forcing the Eagles into nine turnovers (six off HIU steals) and 30% shooting (9-30).
With 2:11 to play in the half, the Royals lead by 15 (36-21) and looked to be in total control of the game. However, the Eagles cut the lead to 11 by half time and that proved to be a sign of things to come.
Nault put up 17 points on 6-12 shooting from the field and 5-6 shooting from the free throw line to along with 7 rebounds. Freshman Brittani Philbrook hit 4-5 from the field (including two 3 pointers) and 2-2 from the free throw line for 12 points. The two combined for 29 of the Royals’ 39 first half points.
The second half was completely a different shooting performance from the Eagles (8-10, 2-6 GSAC). They came out the break hitting 6 of their first 10 shots (60%) which established their 63% shooting (19-30) for the entire second half.
The tandem of Nicole Fu and Karen Carney combined for 14 points in the first four and half minutes of the second half to cut the Royals’ lead to just two.
However, the Royals held on to the lead for another 8 minutes. Senior Cynthia Hernandez hit a big 3 pointer during that stretch to push the lead back to 5 (the largest lead either team would enjoy the remainder of the game).
With 7:31 left in the game, the Eagles took first lead since the opening minutes of the game, 61-60, on a jumper by Carney.
The Eagles lead by 4 with 2:48 to play when a 3 point shooting contest broke out. Junior Stephanie Wenke hit one, followed by the Eagles’ Kayanna Nichols. Junior Sarah Nylander knocked down two 3 pointers sandwiched around one for Ivana Warren of the Eagles.
After the dust settled and free throw made by Fu, the Eagles lead by two with 58 seconds to play.
All-American Nault, who went 5-9 from the field and 8-10 from the line in the second half, would have the final say. She hit a jumper, while being fouled, to tie the score with 38 seconds to play. She calmly sank the game winning free throw.
As it turned out, the free throw was not only the game winner but was also Nault’s 36th point of the night- a new career high. Last season, she had 35 points on the road at San Diego Christian.
Nault and the Royals return home for a GSAC game against Westmont on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 pm inside the Darling Pavilion.