By Jake Bilyeu, PLU Sports Information Student Writer
PARKLAND – The Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team closed out probably it's best two-game performance of the season Saturday, as the Lutes followed up their near-upset of third-ranked George Fox with a 70-65 Northwest Conference win over Linfield at Names Family Court.
Pacific Lutheran built up a big lead and held off Linfield's late run, as Ionna Price made the clinching free throws with two seconds remaining after rebounding a potential game-tying 3-point attempt by the Wildcats.
"Getting this win reinforces everything we've worked on" PLU assistant coach Matt Busch said. "Everybody got after it and pushed each other, and this is our reward."
Price followed Friday's 21-point performance with 13 points Saturday, shooting 4-of-8 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 at the free throw line. She also grabbed six rebounds and tallied three blocks and two assists. The Lutes jumped out to a big early lead and maintained it until a Linfield run made it close in the final quarter. But building off the experience of Friday's near-upset, the Lutes stepped up and closed out the win.
"Last night gave us confidence," freshman MacKenzie Cooper said. "Today we knew how to follow our game plan late, and that got us the win."
Kaelyn Voss got the Lutes started in the first quarter, as she hit two early 3-pointers to help put the Lutes up 10-2. Voss finished with 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting, going 2-of-4 from behind the 3-point line.
Samantha Kelleigh and Megan Abdo took control from there for the Lutes, as they combined for 10 points in the last 5 minutes of the quarter to put the Lutes up 20-12 heading into the second.
The Wildcats countered with a 7-0 run to start the second quarter, but the Lutes held them off thanks to a 3-pointer from Price. The Lutes hit a couple more 3-point-shots late, and Michaela Edgers added a layup in the final seconds to cap a 19-10 run and give the Lutes a 39-29 lead heading into halftime.
PLU used a team effort to hold off the Wildcats in the third quarter. Despite no player scoring more than four points in the quarter, the Lutes still outscored their opponents 15-13 to take a 12-point lead into the final quarter.
The Lutes stretched their lead to as many as 14 points early in the fourth, but the Wildcats came roaring back into the game in the final minutes, using an 8-2 run to pull within 5 points with 2:46 remaining. Linfield got within three in the final minute, and the Wildcats looked to tie after a Lute turnover. But a misfire from Linfield's Paige Graham proved to be the team's last chance, as Price grabbed the rebound, hit two clutch free throws and stole the final inbounds pass to seal the 70-65 win.
"Learning how to win is hardest thing for a team to do," Busch said. "We've been in those situations before and it hasn't gone our way, but our continued belief in our system is why we won today."
The win improved PLU's record to 7-14 overall and 3-9 in Northwest Conference play, and the weekend performance showed the Lutes can compete with one of the best teams in the country and close out a tight win.
"I'm just really proud of the team for working hard all season," Cooper said. "It's good to see the glimpses of what we can do and our belief in ourselves come together."
PLU will be on the road next weekend to face Pacific on Friday at 6 p.m., and they'll follow that up Saturday against Lewis & Clark at 4 p.m.
