By Jake Bilyeu, PLU Sports Information Student Writer
PARKLAND – Megan Abdo sank a half-court buzzer beater to force overtime and send the crowd into a frenzy, but Whitman eventually held off Pacific Lutheran 97-90 in three overtimes Friday night in Northwest Conference women's basketball action.
Despite the loss, the crowd that came out to support Breast Cancer Awareness Night was treated to a night they'll never forget between the thrilling game and the special guest breast cancer survivor honorary coach for the Lutes.
"It was great to see the crowd come out to support us tonight," PLU assistant coach Matt Busch said. "It draws attention to how lucky we are to play this game, and it was special to hear all of the fighters' stories, because we all know someone that has to fight just like them."
Abdo played a game-high 51 minutes and finished with 18 points for the Lutes, with her half-court heave tying the score at 68-68 after the Lutes scored eight points in the final 18 seconds of regulation. An inbounds pass steal and 3-pointer by Sarah Barnes scored the first three of those points, and Kristin Sturdivan made a pair of free throws to set the stage for Abdo's buzzer beater. Ionna Price led PLU with 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds to go with three blocks, while Barnes totaled 13 points as 10 different Lutes scored in the game.
The first overtime continued the back-and-forth play of the first 40 minutes, as neither side let the other team keep the lead for long. PLU led by two before a late layup by Whitman's Casey Poe tied things up with six seconds remaining. The Lutes had a chance at the free throw line in the final seconds but were unable to convert, and the game headed into a second overtime.
PLU used free throws to build a four-point lead midway through the second overtime, and the Lutes led 80-77 with just over a minute to go. However, Whitman's Hailey McDonald tied things up with a 3-pointer with 1:04 to play, and neither team scored in the final minute as the game proceeded into its third overtime.
The Missionaries came out strong in the third overtime. After Price gave the Lutes an early two-point-lead, Whitman countered with a 7-0 run. After exchanging baskets, Whitman extended the lead to six on a free throw. The Lutes still battled back to within three at 91-88 with 28 seconds after four straight Abdo free throws, but the Missionaries made seven straight free throws in the final 34 seconds to close out the contest.
PLU continued its recent run of overcoming big deficits and hot 3-point shooting on Friday. Whitman jumped ahead by as many as 13 points in the opening quarters as the Lutes found their shooting touch, but by the end of the game PLU made 10 3-pointers for the second straight game and shot 43.5 percent from long-range (10-of-23). The Lutes forced 24 turnovers in the game and tallied six blocks.
"We ramped things up in the last two of weeks practice, and it showed," Busch said. "If we play tomorrow like we did tonight, we'll get the bounce that we need to win."
The Lutes will finish the season Saturday night, hosting Whitworth at 4 p.m. PLU will honor seniors Abdo, Barnes and Michaela Edgers with a Senior Day Ceremony at 3:45 p.m.
