Box Score RINCON, P.R. - The Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team did just enough to escape with the win on Friday, overcoming an early deficit and holding on down the stretch for a 55-51 victory over the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez for the Lutes' seventh consecutive win.
The host Janes opened an early lead, scoring six of the opening eight points but the Lutes battled back, tying the score at 11 after one quarter of play. The Lutes (8-2) lurched ahead in the second quarter, maintaining a 22-19 advantage at the halftime break. Pacific Lutheran earned some breathing room in the third, building a 44-31 lead heading into the final quarter of play. UPR-Mayaguez came alive in the fourth, scoring 15 of the opening 17 points of the final stanza to tie the game at 46. PLU countered with the next seven points, seizing a 53-46 lead with 1:13 remaining before the Janes charged back, closing within two with eight seconds left but were unable to come any closer as the Lutes wrapped up its Puerto Rico trip undefeated.
"Mayaguez is the best team in Puerto Rico. I'm so proud of our team, not just the win but the mental toughness they showed late in the game," said Head Coach
Jennifer Childress. "
Lauren Furu sparked us in the third quarter and after that we found some consistency. Emma hit some huge free throws and
MacKenzie Cooper wins the iron woman award for her hustle and tough play today."
Emma Janousek paced PLU with 16 points, seven steals, and four assists.
Anna Hurd added 10 points and a team-high 11 rebounds while
Madison Salisbury and
Lauren Furu each added eight.
PLU shot just 39.6 percent (19-for-48) from the field but utilized staunch defense to limit the NCAA Division II Janes to shooting at just 34.6 percent (18-for-52) from the field including just 14.3 percent (one-for-seven) from three-point range.
The Lutes take time off for the holidays before returning to the court on Jan. 4, hosting George Fox University in a Northwest Conference clash inside Olson Gymnasium.
