TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team fell into an early hole and was unable to recover on Friday night, ending on the wrong side of a 68-56 scoreline against Northwest Conference rival Whitman College.
 
The Lutes' took an early 5-3 lead just under 90 seconds into the game on a Megan Drake three-pointer. PLU held a 7-5 lead on an Ava Edmonds layup with 7:09 left in the opening quarter but the homestanding Blues went on a 10-0 run to stake a 15-8 lead with 2:58 remaining. At the end of the opening quarter, Whitman enjoyed a 21-10 advantage.  
 
The Lutes put a small dent in the lead in the second quarter, trailing by nine at the break courtesy of a Toni Thibert layup with 65 seconds left. The Blues kept the Lutes at arm's length the entire second half en route to the 12-point win.
 
Emma Janousek led the Lutes with 13 points while also adding five rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Megan Drake collected 12 points and five boards with Thibert chipping in 11 points. Hailey Marsh led the team on the glass, hauling down six rebounds.
 
PLU was outrebounded 33-23 in the game and was outscored in the paint by a 40-28 margin. 
 
The Lutes close out the season tomorrow afternoon, facing Whitman for the fourth time this season. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.