TACOMA, Wash. -Â Emma Janousek drilled a three with 24 seconds remaining as the short-staffed Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team topped crosstown nemesis University of Puget Sound 67-62 on Tuesday night in a Northwest Conference clash inside Olson Gymnasium.
The Lutes (10-12, 5-8 NWC) got off to a sluggish start, trailing 9-2 just over five minutes into the game before closing the quarter on a 17-6 run, scoring 10 of the final 12 to enjoy a 19-15 advantage after 10 minutes of play. PLU's lead would continue to swell in the second quarter, touching double digits on a
Hailey Marsh free throw with 1:34 left before taking a 34-27 edge into the halftime intermission.
Pacific Lutheran's lead grew to 13 in the third and stood at 57-45 with 5:45 left in the game courtesy of a Janousek and-one play. The visiting Loggers (11-11, 5-8 NWC) came alive over the next five minutes, scoring 15 of the next 20, pulling within a possession at 62-60 with 54 seconds remaining. PLU milked the shot clock the ensuing possession with Janousek drilling a clutch three to beat the shot clock buzzer, giving the Lutes a five-point buffer with 24 seconds left.
Kylie Rademacher would drill a pair of free throws with 1.1 seconds left as the Lutes held on for the win, securing their first sweep of the crosstown Loggers since the 2001-2002 season.
"Emma's three was incredible! She played an amazing game and that was the sprinkles on top!," said Head Coach
Jennifer Childress. "All of our team showed up and played tough. I'm very proud of how we refocused after last weekend. You can't count us out on any night, that's been proven all season, and our women have a ton of heart."
Janousek led the Lutes with 23 points and eight assists, playing the entire game.
Megan Drake dropped 15 points while Rademacher added 12. Puget Sound's Jamie Lange led all scorers with 25 points while hauling in 16 rebounds.
PLU was out rebounded 35-22 but held a 28-20 advantage in points in the paint and a 22-17 lead in points off turnovers. The Lutes shot 47.8 percent (22-for-46) from the floor while holding UPS to shooting just 38.0 percent (19-for-50).
PLU closes out its home slate on Saturday afternoon, hosting Willamette University at 4 p.m.
