Taylor Leads Six Falcons in Double Figures as SPU Women Net Sixth Straight
December 18, 2004

CHICO, Ca. (Dec. 18) – Amy Taylor scored 11 of her team-high 18 points in the second half to lead six Falcons in double figures as Seattle Pacific University defeated Chico State 89-81 in a nonconference game on Saturday night at Chico’s Acker Gym.

The Falcons (8-1), ranked No. 4 in the WBCA Division II national poll won their season-high sixth straight game while handing Chico State (6-1) its first loss of the year.

In a tightly contested game, Chico held the lead throughout most of the first half, including a 43-37 lead at the break. SPU slowly closed the gap and pulled even with 15 minutes left in the game on a three pointer by Taylor.

After four lead changes and four ties over the next six minutes, Seattle Pacific captured the lead for good on a pair of free throws by Michelle Beaumont (Sr., Bellingham, Wa./Sehome) with 9:20 left to play. SPU never led by more than eight and Chico pulled back to within one twice the rest of the way, but the Falcons held on for the win, pulling away on a triple by Taylor for an 86-80 cushion with 1:21 remaining.

Taylor (Sr., Shoreline, Wa./Shorewood) shot 7-for-16 from the filed, including 4-for-9 from three-point range. Brittney Kroon (Jr., Wasilla, Ak.) fired up the Falcons with 10 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks and a career-high four assists off the bench. SPU’s bench outscored Chico’s 38-10, as the Falcons also got double figures from reserves Rachel Strand (So., Shoreline, Wa./King’s) ,12, and Jenny Poe (Jr., Enumclaw, Wa.), 11.

Mandy Wood (Jr., Port Angeles, Wa.) chipped in with 13 points, six assists and three steals in the loss. Carli Smith (Jr., Spokane, Wa./Valley Christian) scored 10 points and grabbed six boards.

Amber Simmons led the Wildcats with 22 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. Kim Abts had 12 points and 17 assists, but also committed eight turnovers. Haley Ford added 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Lauren Himmelspach scored 14.

Chico carried the early momentum late into the first half. Following a Talor three, the Wildcats scored seven straight points to capture a 10-point lead, their largest of the game, with 1:37 left in the half. Poe and Wood scored baskets, and the Falcons made four stops to end the half.

The Falcons shot just under 50 percent in the contest and held Chico to 40 percent, including 36 percent in the second half. It was the second lowest point total of the season for Chico, who came in averaging 99.7 per game. SPU had a slim 44-41 advantage in rebounds.

The Falcons host the GNAC/CCAA Challenge on Dec. 29-30. SPU opens against Cal State LA on Wednesday (Dec. 29) at 5 p.m.