TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team remains at home this weekend, welcoming Oregon rivals Lewis & Clark College and Pacific University to Olson Gymnasium for a pair of Northwest Conference clashes. The Lutes tip off the weekend at 6 p.m. on Friday against Lewis & Clark and wrap up the homestand on Saturday with a 4 p.m. meeting with Pacific.
The Lutes (9-3, 2-2 NWC) are coming off a 1-1 showing last weekend. PLU saw its seven-game win streak come to a halt against ninth-ranked George Fox University 67-51 last Friday. The loss snapped PLU's longest win streak since ripping off eight in a row during the NWC Championship winning 2005-2006 season. PLU bounced back the following day with a huge 61-53 victory against Willamette University. Senior
Kristin Sturdivan led the way in scoring, putting up 15 points against the Bearcats.
"This weekend's games are very important for us. Our goal is to be the top four in conference, and winning these games will help us take a step towards that goal," said
MacKenzie Cooper.
"We're coming off a 1-1 weekend and are confident and excited to take care of business this coming weekend. In practice we're working hard and focusing on what we can control. My favorite part of being on the team this year is how different the attitude is from any other year. Everyone is excited and ready to go out and play for each other, which makes playing that much more fun."
The positive team culture and attitude has shown on the court for the Lutes as they have started off with the best team record in the early portion of the season in recent years. The Lutes will look to continue this success this weekend beginning Friday night in Olson against the Lewis & Clark Pioneers.
Jan. 11: PLU vs. Lewis & Clark at Olson Gymnasium (6 p.m.)
Series History: This Lutes and Pioneers have met on 76 occasions with PLU holding a 46-30 advantage in the all-time series.
About the Pioneers: Lewis & Clark (2-11, 1-3 NWC) looks to snap a seven-game slide as they make the trek to Tacoma. The Pioneers bested Linfield College 69-66 on Dec. 1 but have come up empty handed since, including a 78-69 setback to Whitworth University and a 77-46 setback against Whitman College last weekend.
Delsie Johnson leads the team in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 12.3 points per game and 9.4 rebounds per game while Alyx Crager adds 12.3 ppg.
Jan. 12: PLU vs. Pacific at Olson Gymnasium (4 p.m.)
Series History: This Lutes and Boxers have met 76 times since the 1980-1981 campaign with PLU enjoying a 43-33 advantage in the all-time series. The two squads split the season series last year, each winning on their home court. PLU prevailed in overtime 66-62 inside Olson on Jan. 20 before falling 78-59 in the season finale on Feb. 16 in Forest Grove.
About the Boxers: Pacific (6-8, 0-5 NWC) heads to Olson searching to snap a four-game slide and net the program's first victory of the NWC slate. The Boxers edged University of Redlands 66-58 in overtime back on Dec. 18 but have come up empty-handed since, dropping games to Eastern Oregon University (61-45), University of Puget Sound (63-61), George Fox University (59-54), and Willamette University (51-49).
Liana Tanaka and Courtney Carolan pace the team averaging 14.6 and 14.4 ppg, respectively while Charli Elliott hauls in a team-best 9.1 rebounds per game.
