By Jake Bilyeu, PLU Sports Information Student Writer
SALEM – The Pacific Lutheran women's basketball team rebounded from Tuesday's overtime defeat to knock off Willamette 69-55 in the Lutes' Northwest Conference road opener Saturday night at Cone Field House.
"Our team's ability to show resiliency and shake off Tuesday's close loss was very impressive," PLU head coach Jennifer Childress. "I am very proud of them!"
The Lutes jumped out to an early 14-4 lead and held off Willamette for the remainder of the quarter to take a 21-12 lead into the second quarter. Willamette turned things around with an 11-2 run to start the second quarter to even things up at 23. Both teams traded scores from then on out until the halftime buzzer sounded with the score still tied 30-30.
After Willamette started the third quarter with a quick four points and threatened to claim momentum, Samantha Kelleigh responded for the Lutes with her first of three second-half three-pointers. That sparked a 10-point PLU run that Kelleigh capped with another three, and the Lutes took a five-point lead into the final quarter.
Megan Abdo opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer as part of an 11-point PLU run that put the Lutes up 10 with just over seven minutes remaining. The Lutes out-scored the Bearcats 21-12 in the fourth quarter – just as they had in the first – to pull away to the 14-point win.
"Our unselfish demeanor and extra passes got us some real open looks down the stretch," Childress said. "Megan proved once again that she is a tough competitor."
Abdo finished with a game-high 20 points to go with seven rebounds and four assists, while Kelleigh finished with 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals for the game. Fourteen different Lutes saw court time in the game, as PLU shot 45.2 percent (28-of-62) overall and went 8-of-9 from the free throw line. The Lutes also forced 22 Willamette turnovers.
"Tonight our depth and the rotation of fresh players was really to our advantage," Childress said. "We were able to sustain pressure for 40 minutes."
The Lutes improve to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play after handing Willamette its second loss of the regular season (4-2) and first NWC defeat (1-1). PLU will be back on the road to take on Northwest Friday before returning home for a showdown with Evergreen Dec. 13 at 2 p.m.
