SALEM, Ore. – Willamette scored 49 points in the first half and coasted to a 72-53 Northwest Conference women's basketball victory over Pacific Lutheran Friday night at Cone Field House.

The loss drops Pacific Lutheran's record to 7-17 overall and 3-12 in conference play going into Saturday's season finale against Linfield. Willamette improves to 4-20 overall and 2-13 in the NWC.

Samantha Potter led PLU with 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds to go with three blocks, while Katelyn Smith tallied a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Five different players scored in double-figures for the Bearcats in a balanced effort, with Jojo DeLong and Julia Brand tying for the game-high point total with 16 apiece. Katie Kalugin finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds to earn the double-double.

Willamette took a 49-27 lead into halftime on the strength of a 20-of-22 performance at the free throw line in the first half. The Bearcats shot 12-of-27 (44.4 percent) before the break, but made five three-pointers and the 20 free throws to pull away early. PLU made 10 of 13 free throw attempts as the teams combined for 29 fouls in the first half and 35 free throws, but the Lutes could not keep up with Willamette's offensive eruption.