Lutes Wrap Up Season With High Hopes For 2011-12
OVERVIEW: The Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team wrapped up its season with a home split last weekend in Olson Gym. PLU finishes the season with an overall record of 6-18. Its 4-12 conference mark was good for a seventh-place finish in the Northwest Conference this year. Coaches around the conference picked PLU to finish sixth in the annual preseason poll. The Lutes' up-and-down season was highlighted by a huge win over Whitworth University in Spokane to open the team's conference road schedule. In the 26-point win over the Pirates, five Lutes scored double digits as the team shot an outstanding 72 percent from the field in the second half.
LUTE ACHIEVEMENTS: Several players who saw significant minutes this season finished the year highly ranked in the NWC in several statistical categories. Frosh post Samantha Potter led the league in offensive rebounds per game. Grabbing 3.46 offensive boards per contest, Potter beat out University of Puget Sound's Lindsay Layland for the number one spot. Guard Sara Backstrom finished the year ranked second in assists. The junior finished the season with 3.82 assists per contest. Redshirt freshman Shelly Kilcup, who at one time posted one of the best three-point percentages in the country, finished second in the NWC in that category with 44 percent accuracy. Averaging just over two three-points baskets made per game, Kilcup ended the season ranked second in total three-pointers made as well, finishing with 79.
REWRITING THE RECORD BOOKS: Two three-point specialists for the Lutes rewrote the single-season record books at PLU for their shooting this season. Guard Shelly Kilcup entered the PLU all-time single-season record books through her long-range shooting efforts this season. Making 49 three-pointers for the year, Kilcup ranks sixth all-time at PLU for three-pointers made in a season. Shooting from behind the arc at a rate of 44.1 percent, Kilcup finished the season ranked second all-time in single season three-point shooting percentage. Her 111 attempts from long range puts her in the ninth spot in three-point field goals attempted. Senior Jordan Westering also finished tied with Kilcup for ninth with 111 attempts from behind the arc. Adding to her record season, Westering finished the season with 41 three-pointers made, ranking her eighth all-time in three-pointers made in a season.
GAINING EXPERIENCE: This year's team featured 11 underclassmen, including five who saw regular game minutes. With only two seniors leaving this year's team, PLU will return four starters and much of its core from this season in 2011-12. With much experience gained this season, the Lutes will be poised to make a run for a berth in the conference tournament in the 2011-12 year.
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