By Jake Bilyeu, PLU Sports Information Student Writer
FOREST GROVE, Ore. – The Pacific Lutheran women's basketball team headed to Oregon for its final road trip of the season this weekend looking to continue its strong play from its last two games, and the Lutes did just that as they shot a season-best 53.1 percent from the field to overcome a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit in a 69-65 win over Pacific.
"This place is a tough place to win," PLU head coach Jennifer Childress said. "They are one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the conference, especially at home."
Ionna Price led PLU with 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting, while Megan Abdo scored 16 while going 7-of-11 from the field. Samantha Kelleigh made all three of her 3-point attempts and finished 4-of-5 overall for 11 points as PLU shot 26-of-49 overall (53.1 percent) while limiting Pacific to 41.7 percent shooting (25-of-60).
The Boxers lived up to their 3-point shooting reputation early, as they used a couple of early 3s to take a 12-4 lead less than four minutes into the game. The Boxers held on to that lead through the end of the quarter, but a 3-pointer from Kelleigh brought the Lutes within two late, and PLU went into the second quarter trailing 22-18.
The PLU defense locked down the Boxers in the second quarter. After tying the game on two quick scores, the Lutes took their first lead on another Kelleigh 3 halfway through the quarter. Both teams fought back and forth, and the Lutes were able to take a 31-29 lead into the halftime break.
Pacific struck back in the third quarter. After the Boxers tied things up with an early score, Abdo hit a 3-pointer to give the Lutes the lead. Pacific refused to let the Lutes get out of reach, though, as the Boxers responded to every PLU basket and took a one-point lead with four minutes left in the quarter. This time Pacific was able to extend its lead, going on a 14-5 run to take a 51-44 lead into the final quarter.
"When we came out after halftime, they countered our 3-point line defense and started attacking the middle well," Childress said. "Our team showed great resilience and grit, adjusted, and started pushing the game to a transition style attack."
Pacific's lead grew to 10 early in the fourth quarter, but the Lutes quickly got back into the game with a 14-4 run to even things up at 60, as the entire team contributed to prevent the game from getting out of reach. The Boxers quickly regained the lead with yet another 3-pointer, but it proved to be the last lead they would hold, as Price scored six straight points and gave the Lutes the lead for good on a 3-pointer of her own, and then Abdo and Kaelyn Voss followed with a layup and a game-clinching free throw in the four-point win.
"Our seniors willed us the win in the fourth quarter, with Megan on offense and Sarah Barnes on defense," Childress said. "The team rode their desire, Ionna hit a huge 3-pointer, and Kaelyn was ice at the end at the line."
The Lutes will be back on the court Saturday to face Lewis & Clark in Portland at 4:00 p.m, before returning home for their final two games of the season next weekend against Whitman and Whitworth.
