ABILENE, Texas – Hit by a run of 17 unanswered first-period points, the Northwestern State women’s basketball team’s postseason ended quickly with an 86-59 loss on the road Thursday evening to Abilene Christian in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament.
The Demons (16-16) started quickly, but ACU mounted a 17-0 first quarter run which pushed the game to a double-digit Wildcats (21-12) lead and Northwestern never recovered.
“I thought the entire group played incredibly hard tonight,” fifth-year NSU coach Anna Nimz said. “I believe the girls stepped up and did their best. Give credit to ACU. They are a great team with excellent perimeter shooters.”
The Demons began with back-to-back 3-pointers from Sharna Ayres sparked an 8-2 early run from the visitors to go in front 10-6.
But the Wildcats dominated the rest of the half, scoring the next 17 points and ending the quarter on a 24-4 run to lead 30-14 after the first quarter.
Erin Woodson scored 11 of her game-high 21 points during the run to ACU never let up from there.
In that first quarter, ACU shot 12-of-22 overall and made nine of its final 10 shots and eight straight at one point, including each of its final four 3-point attempts.
The middle two quarters were played to a near draw and either the Demons cut into the deficit by three. Northwestern went on a 9-0 run bridging the second and third quarters, including back-to-back triples from Zhane Thompson and Ayres to cut it the deficit to 44-34, but that was as close as the Demons made it before the Wildcats scored seven straight to regain a commanding lead.
The Wildcats used a 22-8 final period advantage to make the score a bit deceiving.
ACU shot 46.2 percent, including 9-of-22 from deep, compared to Northwestern’s 36.7 percent and 8-of-32 on 3-pointers.
The Wildcats made 17-of-20 free throws.
Three Demons reached double figures, led by Sharna Ayres and Mya Blake, who each scored 14. Vernell Atamah scored 11 points on just seven shots, while Thompson recorded nine points on three made triples.
“I am proud of our group and proud of their season,” Nimz said. “I am excited for our future.
“Thank you Demonland for all of your support this season.”