Simson Garcia | Sports Editor
The Nov. 23 home game against Humboldt State showed plenty of change-of-pace action. With 11 lead changes and six ties, the Wolves managed to get the last basket near the rim, downing the Lumberjacks 64-62.
The Wolves came in undefeated, and three games in have averaged 77 points, which is much attested to their balanced offense.
When the ‘Jacks visited, a tightly knit back-and-forth game almost put their undefeated mark in jeopardy.
This was evident in the first quarter when several lead changes ensued. The ‘Jacks looked to swing the momentum in their favor by presenting a three-point threat. The Wolves stood firm with a strong defense, a key factor late, to end the quarter down 13-12.
Defense, along with hustle plays and scrappiness for every rebound, kept the game close. Then, it was the Wolves turn at the lead going into halftime up one, 25-24.
Guard play from both teams was also a highlight, as senior Shelby Snook went head-to-head opposite Humboldt’s Tyla Turner. Snook made 7 out of 11 field goals totaling 15 points, while Turner shot 6 out of 20 totaling 14.
As the teams continued to trade baskets into the fourth, it came down to the final seconds. With the score at 62, senior forward Savannah Heugly scored the go-ahead off a tightly contested lay-up attempt, putting the Wolves in front, 64-62. In waning moments, the Lumberjacks’s game-tying attempt was stuffed by Wolf senior guard Sydney Azorr’s clutch block that ended the game.
Now at 4-0, the Wolves soon begin conference play where they’ll protect home court once again against Saint Martin’s on Nov. 30. Tip-off begins at 7 p.m.
Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu
