TACOMA, Wash. - Emma Janousek poured on career-high 29 points, helping the Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team dismantle in-state rival Northwest University 77-60 in a non-conference tilt on Saturday night inside Olson Gymnasium.
 
The host Lutes (5-2) stormed out of the gate, scoring the opening six points and building a sizable 16-2 buffer on a Katie Taylor three-pointer with 4:52 remaining in the opening quarter. PLU kept the pedal to the metal, enjoying a 21-9 advantage after one quarter of play. The Lutes tallied the opening 10 points of the second quarter and enjoyed a 43-26 lead at the halftime intermission. 
 
The Eagles (2-8) whittled the gap to just 12 with under a minute to go in the third quarter but PLU responded with the final six points of the quarter and maintained a double-digit edge the entire fourth for the 17-point win. 
 
Janousek led all scorers with 29 points while also adding seven rebounds and five assists. 13 of Janousek's career-record tally came from the charity stripe, finishing the night eight-for-12 from the field and 13-for-17 at the line. Katie Taylor added 10 points while Toni Thibert and Madison Salisbury both added nine. 
 
"This year we just have a really close group of women. A lot of team chemistry and also a really good system that we've been sticking to. We kind of got away from it last week but we connected well on the court this week," said Janousek. 
 
PLU forced 19 Eagle turnovers on the afternoon while getting to the free throw line 34 times compared to just nine trips to the charity stripe for Northwest. 
 
"Coming into the game I just wanted to be under control, that was kind of my mindset. Katie was hot last week, Sals really good inside, and that really allowed me to get open, so I really have to give it to the team to allow me succeed within the system."
 
The Lutes return to action next Saturday at 4 p.m., facing the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in the seventh annual Pacific Northwest Tournament.