SALEM, Ore. - Jose Napoli poured on a career-high 25 points but it wasn't enough on Friday evening as the Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team was upended 77-61 by host Willamette University in a Northwest Conference clash inside Cone Field House.

"I was really proud of how our team finished the game tonight, they battled until the very end," said Head Coach Tiffany Twiddy.

The host Bearcats (10-9, 9-5 NWC) scored the opening five points and their lead would swell to as many as 16 points before taking a 44-30 lead into the halftime break.

"In the first half we had some defensive issues. Our second half defensive effort was much better and I was happy with their ability to make those adjustments."

A Bearcat layup early in the third pushed their advantage to 18 points before the Lutes (5-12, 2-8 NWC) clawed back with a Napoli three followed by a Stacie Spahr layup sparking a 17-5 run to whittle the gap to just six at 55-49 with 2:40 left in the third. That spurt saw three buckets from Maddie Plevyak while a Napoli layup narrow the gap to just six. Unfortunately for the Lutes, Willamette answered with the final four points of the quarter before pulling away in the fourth to ice the win.

Napoli finished with a career-high 25 points, hitting 10 of her 18 field goals along with three steals in 27 minutes of action. Ava Edmonds has 13 points and five rebounds while Plevyak posted eight points. Spahr hauled in a team-high six boards with Mady Simmelink hauling in five rebounds and distributing three assists.

"Josie had a great game. She was a floor general and poured in 25 points tonight. Ava had 13 as well and had a great effort tonight."

PLU enjoyed a 40-38 advantage in points in the paint and won the turnover battle (10 to 13) but was outrebounded 46-32 and outshot, shooting at a 38.2 percent clip (26-for-68) to the Bearcats' 48.4 percent (30-for-62).

The Lutes return to the hardwood tomorrow afternoon, facing George Fox University at 4 p.m. in Newberg, Oregon.