FOREST GROVE, Ore. - Brilie Kovaloff (Junior/Honolulu, HI) scored a career-high 29 points to lead Pacific to an impressive 71-65 win over Illinois Wesleyan on Friday night inside the Stoller Center.
Kovaloff would nail a three-pointer with 15 seconds remaining in the contest to seal the victory, capping off an 11-point fourth quarter for the junior. The thrilling game featured four ties and five lead changes before Pacific would use an 11-2 run in the final five minutes to come out on top.
The Boxers (8-3, 2-0 NWC) moved the ball very well, shooting 42.6% (26-61) from the field with 19 assists. Pacific had a decent day shooting from the beyond the arc, making 9 of their 30 attempts from three-point range.
Illinois Wesleyan (6-6, 3-0 CCIW) were held to 37.3% shooting but the Titans were efficient from three-point range as they went 7-of-18 (38.9%) from three. IWU was led by Lauren Huber who racked up 24 points while going 11-of-18 from the floor.
Kovaloff enjoyed a career night with 29 points to lead all scorers. The Honolulu, Hawaii native was the only Boxer to finish in double-digit scoring. She shot over 50% from the floor (10-19), hit four three-pointers (4-9), and was perfect from the free throw line (5-5) to lead Pacific offensively. Kovaloff also matched a team high with six rebounds in the contest while dishing out six assists.
Sydney Gray (Junior/Central Point, OR) poured in nine points with four rebounds to her name while
Rilee Price (Junior/Brea, CA) had a great all-around performance with nine points, seven assists (team high), and four rebounds.
Camy Aguinaldo (Senior/Honolulu, HI) and
Madison Dunlop (Sophomore/Palmer, AK) would chip in seven points apiece.
How It Happened
Pacific fell behind in the early minutes but Kovaloff would begin her night by scoring four straight points to get the Boxer offense headed in the right direction. Pacific would then use a three-ball from
Hannah Stein (Sophomore/Eugene, OR) and a layup from Gray to take the lead just before the end of the first quarter.
Marissa Layosa (Sophomore/Hanamaulu, HI) got her name on the scoresheet with a three-point play at the four-minute mark in the second quarter to extend the lead to six points. The Boxers would take a three-point lead (32-29) going into the break.
Things would heat up in the second half as the visitors raced to a 17-2 run to regain the lead. Pacific would not score for nearly three minutes until Price hit a three to end the scoring drought. Despite their shooting woes in the third period, the Boxers would hold a 55-52 lead after Kovaloff made a triple at the buzzer.
This would all set up for an exciting fourth quarter, in which Illinois Wesleyan would open by taking the lead yet again. Dunlop would provide the spark the hosts needed with a deep three-pointer to bring the Boxers within one. After the Titans added a bucket to take a three-point advantage, Kovaloff would nail a shot from deep to even the score at 63. Price came up with a huge steal and found Gray for a transition layup to take the lead.
With 1:42 and the score tied, Kovaloff got a friendly roll off the iron to put Pacific out in front. On the Boxers' next possession, Dunlop would pull down an offensive rebound, allowing her team to eat up more time off the clock. Pacific would make the most of their final possession as Kovaloff found the bottom of the net from beyond the arc to put the Boxers up by six points with 15 seconds left on the clock, sealing the victory.
By The Numbers
- The Boxers won the rebounding battle 42-39.
- Pacific held Illinois Wesleyan to just two points in the final five minutes.
- Pacific finishes 5-3 in non-conference play.
Up Next
The Boxers resume Northwest Conference competition on Jan. 7 at 6 p.m. when they head to Spokane, Wash. to face Whitworth.
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