TACOMA, Wash.- A monster rebounding advantage wasn't enough for the Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team to come away with the victory in Friday's season opener, falling 66-57 to visiting Trinity University inside Olson Gymnasium.

The Lutes (0-1) dominated the glass all day, enjoying a 47-23 edge in rebounds, including a 21-7 advantage in offensive boards while outscoring the Tigers (2-0) in both the second and third quarters. 

"The effort meter was registering at the top level and it was evident in our rebounding and defense," said Head Coach Jennifer Childress. "At times we just tried to do too much. Instead of countering the chaos with composure, we got caught up in it."

Trinity tallied 10 of the opening 13 points and led wire-to-wire. The Tigers swelled its lead to as many as nine in the first half but PLu fought back, cutting it to just a single possession with 1:11 left in the second quarter on a Katie Taylor three. Trinity grew its lead to 12 midway through the third but the Lutes utilized a 16-5 run to close within a single point, 44-43 on a Madison Salisbury layup with 9:50 left in the game. Trinity countered with the next six points and staved off a late Lute rally by scoring eight of the final 10 points to net the win. 

Kristin Sturdivan led the Lutes with 11 points while Emma Janousek added 10 points and six assists. Salisbury finished one point shy of a double-double, netting nine points and 16 rebounds, with nine of her boards coming on the offensive end. Kyle Johnson and Katie Taylor each added eight points as the Lute bench outscored the Trinity reserves 22-18. 

"Overall, we know we were toe-to-toe with a top caliber team! Some small fixes we will confront this next week in practice."

PLU returns to the hardwood on Saturday, Nov. 24, hosting Warner Pacific University to close out the season-opening homestand.