FOREST GROVE, Ore. - Kristin Sturdivan hit the game-winner with 5.9 seconds left as the Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team erased a nine-point deficit with five minutes remaining in the game to emerge with the 65-63 victory over Northwest Conference rival Pacific University on Friday evening.

A pair of free throws with 4:57 remaining gave the host Boxers (7-16, 1-13 NWC) their largest lead of the night at 57-48. The unflappable Lutes (13-8, 6-7 NWC) would respond by scoring 17 of the next 23 points to pull out the two-point win to sweep the season series.

Madison Salisbury started the run with consecutive layups before a Katie Taylor free throw pulled the Lutes' within four. Taylor drained a three with 1:44 remaining to cut the deficit to a single possession before Anna Hurd tied the game with 1:13 remaining with an and-one play, hitting a jumper and a free throw.

Pacific went back on top with a pair of free throws with 61 ticks left but buckets from Emma Janousek with 48 seconds left and Sturdivan's timely layup with 5.9 remaining was just enough for the Lutes to sneak away with the win.

"The team stayed focused on the end results and I'm so proud of how we remained calm and just found a way to win," said Head Coach Jennifer Childress.

PLU enjoyed a 15-7 lead after one quarter of play but host Pacific responded in the second quarter, scoring 21 of the 30 points in the quarter to take a 28-24 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Four Lutes finished the night in double figures with Janousek and Taylor leading the way with 15 points apiece. Janousek additionally added a team-high five assists and five steals. Salisbury netted 14 points and four steals while Hurd had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

"The stat sheet is a true representation of how this was very much a TEAM win. Four players in double figures! Anna earned the 'windex award' for cleaning the glass. It was a huge rebounding night for her."

PLU held a 38-30 rebounding edge, including a commanding 16-5 edge in offensive boards and owned a 13-0 advantage in second chance points.

The Lutes are back on the court tomorrow at 4 p.m. taking on Lewis & Clark College in Portland.