PORTLAND – Tied at 28 at halftime and 43 after three quarters, the Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team was outscored by six in the final frame as it dropped its conference opener to Lewis & Clark College, 64-58 on Friday night in the Pamplin Sports Center. 
 
PLU (3-3, 0-1 NWC) trailed by seven with just 2:30 remaining, but back-to-back three-pointers by Ava Edmonds and Josie Napoli pulled the Lutes to within three.  After getting a stop defensively, the Lutes had a chance to tie the game in the final minute, but turned the ball over and fouled Delsie Johnson, who split a pair of free throws to make it a two-possession game.  Stacie Spahr made a layup with 19 seconds left to cut the lead to 60-58, but the Pioneers made four straight free throws down the stretch to ice the game. 
 
"Our team continued to get big stops and big buckets throughout the game tonight," said PLU Head Coach GC Hillburn.  "We had so many players playing in their first conference game ever and they showed how bright the future is for our program.  We have to continue to work to get better and reach our full potential."
 
Napoli led PLU with 18 points including 4-for-8 shooting from long range.  Spahr was dominant on the glass with a game-high 14 rebounds, including six on the offensive end.  Mady Simmelink was pesky on the defensive end with three steals and added four rebounds and three assists.  The Lutes struggled to take care of the basketball and had 29 turnovers on the evening. 
 
PLU looks to get back on track tomorrow afternoon when they head to Pacific for a 4:00 p.m. tip-off.