Warner Pacific Handles Simpson 77-62 in Home Opener

www.wpcknights.com

(Portland, Oregon) - Layne Tucker scored a game high 22 points to lead Warner Pacific past Simpson University 77-62 at C.C. Perry Gym last night in the Knights’ home opener.

The junior guard hit 7 of 9 shot attempts, including 4 of 5 from behind the arc to help WP improve to 2-1 on the season.

The two teams battled through a mistake prone first half, with the squads combining for 27 turnovers in the period. The lead changed hand 8 times over the first twenty minutes, with the Knights managing to post a 37-34 lead at the break.

The visiting Redhawks (0-3) scored the first point in the second half on a Kylie Shaw free throw to cut the WP lead to two, but would draw no closer. The Knights proceeded to go on a 11-2 run to open up an 11 point lead at the 15:26 mark.

SU did not give up however and started to get to the foul line. The Redhawks hit 13 of 19 freebies in the period and cut the deficit to four points with 10:43 to play. From there the Knights methodically pulled away behind the shooting of Tucker and finished the game with their largest lead of 15 points.

In addition to Tucker’s hot hand, the Knights received 17 points and 10 rebounds from Miranda Holenstein who is off to a great start this season. Katie Smith contributed 13 points and 7 rebounds.

Kylie Shaw led Simpson with 15 points and 7 rebounds, and Nicole Jones added 12 points.

Warner Pacific will host Walla Walla College tonight at 5:30 pm, while Simpson heads across Portland to take on Concordia University.

Source: Warner Pacific College