TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team will host the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Titans and Trinity University (Texas) Tigers this weekend inside Olson Gymnasium in the sixth annual Pacific Northwest Holiday Tournament.
The Lutes (5-2) will take on the Titans in their first game since defeating Northwest University 77-60. Senior,
Emma Janousek led the way scoring for the Lutes putting up a career-high 29 points. Freshman
Holly Flynn, played a season-high 23 minutes played against Northwest University and is emerging as a pivotal part of this year's team. She hauled in seven rebounds in the win over Northwest and heads into the tournament averaging 4.1 rebounds per game despite averaging just 15 minutes of court time a game.
This weekend's games will be the Lutes last two non conference games before they open up the Northwest Conference schedule taking on Whitworth University in Spokane on Jan. 3. Head Coach
Jennifer Childress and the Lutes have emphasized the importance of a competitive non conference schedule to prepare themselves for a run at the conference tournament.
Tip off against Wisconsin-Oshkosh will be at 4pm Saturday. The Lutes will have little time to rest as the Tigers will come to Olson on Sunday at 4pm.
2018 Rewind: Last season it was all Tacoma with PLU and Puget Sound both finishing the event undefeated. The Lutes blasted Caltech 89-56 and Nichols 92-39 while the Loggers dispatched Nichols 61-39 and Caltech 67-44. PLU's
Madison Salisbury earned MVP honors for the second consecutive season, averaging 16.0 points per game and 9.0 rebounds per game during the tournament.
Series History: The Lutes will be facing Trinity for the fourth time ever, trailing the all-time series 1-2 and will meet the Titans for the first time in program history.
Tournament Schedule:
Saturday:
2 PM: Puget Sound vs Trinity
4 PM: Pacific Lutheran vs UW-Oshkosh
Sunday:
2 PM: Puget Sound vs UW-Oshkosh
4 PM: Pacific Lutheran vs Trinity
Seattle Children's: The Lutes are partnering with Seattle Children's Hospital to help raise gifts and money for families to use during the holidays. Please consider joining our cause by contributing new toys, art supplies, fleece blankets, or gift cards.
About the Titans: UW-Oshkosh (5-3) heads to Tacoma riding a three-game win streak. The Titans smashed Alma 85-42 and in-state rival Lawrence 88-45 before earning a 72-57 win over in-state rival Saint Norbert on Tuesday night.
UWO three losses have been by a combined 16 points, suffering an overtime setback to Loras and dropping games to both DePauw and Ohio Northern by single digits.
Leah Porath has been the Titans top weapon through the opening eight games, leading the team in both scoring (20.3 ppg) and rebounding (7.5 rpg). Nikki Arneson adds 10.4 ppg while Olivia Campbell chips in 8.8 ppg.
About the Tigers: 22nd-ranked Trinity (3-2) heads to Tacoma having won two of its last three games and has played a rugged non-conference slate, including two games against nationally-ranked opponents.
The Tigers opened the year by falling 74-55 to then No. 8 George Fox before knocking off then No. 9 Saint Thomas 71-68 the following day. Trinity has additionally claimed wins at the expense of Hardin-Simmons (77-68) and East Texas Baptist (69-60) before falling 72-68 on Sunday to Texas-Dallas.
Abby Holland is the Tigers' top offensive threat, averaging 17.8 points per game along with a team-best 6.4 rebounds per game. Emily Daniel adds 12.2 ppg with Ashlyn Milton chipping in 9.4 ppg.
