TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team will welcome Northwest Christian University to Olson Gymnasium on Friday for the second of five consecutive home games.
The Lutes (4-1) are coming off a dominant performance against Northwest Indian College. The Lutes overpowered the Eagles 94-34 in their home opener last Tuesday. Perhaps more impressive than the teams high octane offense, was their tenacious defense. The team tallied a school record 30 steals against the Eagles. Leading the team in steals was first-year
Toni Thibert who collected nine herself.
Thibert hails from Kent, Washington where she earned four varsity letters and served two years as team captain for Kentlake High School. Her fast tempo and aggressive defense is exciting for the Lute fan base to watch early in the season.
Other highlights from the Lutes performance against Northwest Indian included all 11 Lutes on the game roster scoring.
Katie Taylor tied Thibert for the scoring lead with 18 points.
Taylor and Thibert have been instrumental in the Lutes' hot start this season with the program's lone blemish a 68-65 setback on the road to the University of Redlands back on Nov. 16.
Friday's game will be a good test for the Lutes and will show were the team stands early in the season, taking on NAIA Northwest Christian.
Dec. 6: PLU vs. Northwest Christian at Olson Gymnasium (7 p.m.)
Series History: The Lutes and Beacons have never met on the hardwood.
About the Beacons: Northwest Christian (3-2, 1-0 Cascade Collegiate Conference) heads to Olson Gymnasium fresh off a 71-69 victory over Corban in the CCC opener on Tuesday night.
Tuesday's tilt featured seven lead changes and seven ties with visiting Northwest Christian never leading by more than five points in the fourth quarter.
The Beacons are 1-1 on the season against NWC opponents defeating Willamette University 66-57 and losing to the University of Puget Sound 59-56.
Two Beacons average in double figures with Morgan McKinney the top scorer, dropping 15.3 points per game while Aspen Slifka chips in 10.0 ppg. Kayce Mock is the Beacons' top rebounder, averaging 6.8 per game.
