TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team is preparing to head Oregon this weekend to take on Northwest Conference foes Willamette University and 14th-ranked George Fox University.
The Lutes (11-7, 4-6 NWC) are coming off a tough week at home in which they suffered a pair of setbacks to crosstown rival University of Puget Sound (83-71) and Linfield College (80-74).
Kristin Sturdivan had a nice game against the Loggers last Tuesday scoring 17 points while sophomore
Katie Taylor led the charge against Linfield putting up 25 points.
As the Lutes look to bounce back, we talked with
Kylie Rademacher to get a sense of where the team is at.
"As the season progresses our sights are still set on improving, with every practice and with every game we want to take strides forward. We're continually building toward our full potential, and just focusing on playing to improve. If we can do that the wins and losses will take care of themselves."
Rademacher emphasized the family atmosphere of the team when talking about what her favorite part of being a student athlete at PLU.
"More than anything during my time as a student-athlete I have enjoyed forming relationships and making memories alongside my teammates. I could not imagine my life without my teammates in it. I cherish and care so deeply for each of them, past and present. We truly are a family, and I am so grateful for all the bonus sisters God gave me."
The Lutes will take on Willamette on Friday in Salem before heading to George Fox for a Saturday tilt in Newberg.
Feb. 1: PLU vs. Willamette in Salem, Oregon (6 p.m.)
Series History: The Lutes and Bearcats have met 79 times on the hardwood with the Lutes owning a 44-35 advantage in the all-time series. PLU won the first meeting back on Jan. 5, utilizing a big third quarter to pull away for the 61-53 win inside Olson Gymnasium.
About the Bearcats: Willamette (8-11, 3-7 NWC) heads into Friday's clash having split last weekend's games against the Whits. The Bearcats were outpaced 82-59 by Whitman to open the weekend before rebounding the following day with an 80-74 win over Whitworth. Britanny Kochenderfer set the tone for the Bearcats in the win over Whitworth, scoring 27 points and hauling 10 rebounds as one of five Bearcats to finish in double figures.
Kochenderfer leads the team in scoring, averaging 14.9 points per game and a team-best 11.3 rebounds per game. Amanda Carpenter adds 10.4 ppg while Kassin Hopkins has been a spark off the bench, averaging 8.9 ppg. Drew Farmer has been the Bearcats' field general, dishing out 4.2 assists per game.
Feb. 2: PLU vs. George Fox in Newberg, Oregon (4 p.m.)
Series History: PLU and George Fox have battled 55 times with the Bruins enjoying a 38-17 edge in the all-time series. The two last met on Jan. 4 with the visiting Bruins coming away with the 67-51 victory. The Lutes played the nationally-ranked Bruins even through the first three quarters before George Fox pulled away in the final 10 minutes of play.
About the Bruins: 14th-ranked George Fox (16-3, 9-1 NWC) sits atop the league standings and heads into the weekend with a four game win streak. The Bruins' lone blemish of the league slate was a 73-54 thrashing at the hands of Whitman on Jan. 12. Since then GFU has racked up wins at the expense of Linfield (95-61), Willamette (75-49), Puget Sound (67-60) and Lewis & Clark College (97-46).
Tavin Headings is the Bruins' top offensive weapon, averaging 12.2 points per game while Emily Spencer adds 10.0 ppg. Emily Holder contributes 9.3 ppg and 4.9 rebounds per game while Haylee Hutzler hauls in a team-high 6.7 rpg.
