By Jake Bilyeu, PLU Sports Information Student Writer
PARKLAND – The Pacific Lutheran women's basketball team held off a late Evergreen run and scored the final four points of the game to put the Geoducks away for a 67-58 nonconference win Sunday afternoon at Names Family Court.
The win brought the Lutes record back to an even 3-3 heading into next weekend's Pacific Northwest Tournament. It was also PLU's first home win of the season as the Lutes built a 14-point lead going into the final quarter and made free throws down the stretch to clinch the win.
"We played consistently for four quarters," PLU head coach Jennifer Childress said. "It was great to see us show composure for 40 minutes, instead of 35."
A three-point shot by Samantha Kelleigh sparked an 11-2 PLU run midway through the first period, with a three-pointer by Megan Abdo and another by Kelleigh helping the Lutes claim a 21-16 lead at the end of the quarter. The Lute offense kept rolling into the second quarter, as Abdo led a quick run that brought the team's lead to 10. Evergreen responded with a run of its own, and the Lute lead shrunk to four by halftime with the score 32-28. PLU held the four-point halftime lead despite Evergreen shooting 59.1 percent in the first half (13-of-22), as the Lutes forced 18 turnovers in the first two quarters.
The Lutes regained control of the game in the third quarter, out-scoring the Geoducks 24-14. Kelleigh added two more threes, leading the Lutes on a 10-0 run early in the quarter after Evergreen scored the first basket of the period to pull within two.
"My teammates help me out a lot with my shooting," Kelleigh said. "They set good screens and move around to get me open."
PLU stretched its lead to as many as 16 points late in the third quarter and held a 13-point lead at 62-49 midway through the fourth. Evergreen made one final run at the Lute lead, but the Lutes held off the Geoducks with four straight free throws in the final 33 seconds. After a Uriah Thomas three-pointer made it a five-point game in the final minute, Sarah Barnes and Abdo each made a pair of free throws to help seal the 67-58 win.
"They had a big size advantage, so we had to try some things that we hadn't practiced," Childress said. "The win helps us know that we can win with defense when undersized."
PLU forced 26 turnovers and out-rebounded Evergreen 36-to-33 in the win. Kelleigh made four of her eight three-point attempts to finish with 16 points, while Abdo led all scorers with 17 points. Barnes added 11 in the win, while Michaela Edgers grabbed nine rebounds. Thomas and Gabi Fenumiai each scored 15 to lead Evergreen.
"This win builds our confidence," Kelleigh said. "We had to respond after our loss to Northwest, and this win really helped."
The Lutes return to the court for the Friday against Chicago at 8 p.m. and Saturday against Illinois Wesleyan at 6 p.m. in the annual Pacific Northwest Tournament Div. III Women's Basketball Tournament at PLU's Names Family Court.
