SALEM – Megan Abdo scored the final five points of the game, including the game-winning layup as time expired, as Pacific Lutheran claimed a 65-64 buzzer-beating women's basketball victory over Willamette in Northwest Conference action Friday evening at Cone Field House.
The win gave the Lutes the 2014-15 season sweep of Willamette, with both wins coming in thrilling fashion for the Lutes after they defeated the Bearcats in double-overtime last month in Parkland. PLU improves to 5-17 overall and 2-11 in conference play, while Willamette falls to 6-17 overall and 1-13 in the NWC. PLU heads to McMinnville on Saturday for the final road game of the season, as the Lutes will take on Linfield at 4 p.m.
A pair of Jojo DeLong free throws gave Willamette a 64-60 lead with 27 seconds to play and appeared to close out the game for the Bearcats. But Abdo had other plans, as she hit a three-pointer to pull PLU within one with 17 seconds remaining. After Taylor Talen stole the ball from DeLong, Abdo missed a layup in the closing seconds only to collect her own rebound and put it back in as time expired to clinch the win for PLU.
The game featured eight lead changes and five tie scores, with Willamette taking its largest lead three minutes into the second half at 42-31. PLU followed with eight straight points before Willamette countered by scoring six straight. The Bearcats eventually matched their game-high 11-point lead midway through the half following a three-pointer by Ashley Evans.
PLU held Willamette scoreless for the next four minutes, and a Bailey Raines three-pointer sparked a six-point PLU run to make it a five-point game. Kelsey Walker's jumper ended the Willamette drought before Tayler Flemming hit a three-pointer to pull PLU within four at the four-minute mark.
Willamette free throws and a DeLong layup helped the Bearcats maintain a cushion, but Abdo took over and scored the Lutes' final 10 points of the day. She finished the night with 14 points to go with seven rebounds and four assists, while Flemming added 12 points. Sarah Barnes scored 11 on 5-of-6 shooting, and Lacey Nicholson tallied 10 points.
DeLong led Willamette with 15 points, while Kylie Towry posted a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Julia Brand scored 13. The Bearcats held a 36-29 halftime lead before PLU outscored Willamette 36-28 in the second period. Willamette finished the night with a .436 team shooting percentage (24-of-55), while PLU shot 38.2 percent from the field (26-of-68).
