TACOMA, Wash. - Megan Drake drilled the go ahead three with 49 seconds left in overtime, lifting the Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team to a 76-71 victory over crosstown nemesis University of Puget Sound in a Northwest Conference tilt on Tuesday night inside Memorial Fieldhouse.

The Lutes (6-8, 1-4 NWC) erased a double-digit second half deficit en route to the win in a wild contest featuring 11 lead changes and eight ties.

"It was an exhilarating game. We had to take it to five quarters to get the job done, but we loved every minute of it," said Head Coach Jennifer Childress. "Our women played hard all five quarters and literally willed that in overtime. That's what it came down to."

The homestanding Loggers (7-7, 1-4 NWC) utilized a layup with 6:57 left in the third period to open up a 41-31 edge on the Lutes. PLU would respond over the next five minutes, tying the game at 45 on a Jorie Lambert three. Puget Sound took a one point lead into the fourth quarter and built a 61-57 edge with 3:28 left in the contest. A Drake layup with two seconds left gave PLu the 63-61 lead but a buzzer-beating layup from Cassidy Daugherty forced overtime.

Puget Sound led by four with 1:45 remaining before the Lutes took the lead on back-to-back threes from Lambert and Drake. PLU forced two missed shots and hit three free throws down the stretch to cement the win.

"I'm just so proud of how we executed. We always compete but tonight we played hard and finished."
 

Head @pluwbb Coach Jen Childress was ecstatic after tonight's big win over our crosstown rival #GoLutes pic.twitter.com/XTbAWNgEyr

— PLU Athletics (@golutes) January 15, 2020

Drake led all scorers with 19 points, sinking three of her four shots from beyond the arc while also grabbing three steals. Kylie Rademacher added 15 points, seven assists, and six rebounds with Emma Janousek scoring 14 and dishing out seven helpers. Lambert was the third Lute in double figures, draining four treys and posting 14 points.
 

Junior @pluwbb forward Megan Drake forced OT, hit the game-winner and iced the game at the free throw line. BIG night for the Lutes! #GoLutes pic.twitter.com/NL16CJ8AA1

— PLU Athletics (@golutes) January 15, 2020

"I think everyone was stoked to get our first conference win. First time in 20 games we beat UPS so it feels pretty sweet," said Drake.

The pesky Lute defense generated 23 Logger turnovers and held a 22-13 edge in points off turnovers.

The Lutes are back on the hardwood on Friday night, facing Willamette University at 6 p.m. in Salem, Oregon.