TACOMA, Wash. — Ashley Akamine piled on a career-high 24 points but a double digit lead slipped away as the Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball squad fell short 60-55 to Northwest Conference rival Willamette University on Friday night inside Olson Gymnasium.
PLU led by as many as 12 in the second quarter and owned an eight-point gap late in the third on a pair of Akamine free throws. PLU's lead was six with 7:59 remaining on an Akamine three but Willamette scored the next 10, building a 55-51 edge with 3:19 left. Consecutive buckets by Akamine knotted the score at 55 with 1:54 remaining but the Lutes were unable to convert their final three shots from the field as a WU layup and a trio of free throws proved enough to escape from Olson Gymnasium unscathed.
The visiting Bearcats (7-7, 2-3 NWC) held an early 7-3 lead just three minutes into the game before the Lutes scored the next 11, punctuated by a
Sydney Reisner three with 2:19 left in the half. PLU continued to feel it from distance, with
Emi Wada draining a trey with 21 ticks left as the Lutes (0-14, 0-5 NWC) enjoyed a 17-9 advantage after one quarter of play.
PLU's lead mushroomed to a dozen midway through the second on a
Ava Edmonds layup as the Lutes took a 32-25 edge into the halftime break.
Akamine's career night included three treys and six rebounds to go with her 24 points to lead all scorers.
Ava Edmonds added nine points and four boards while
Stacie Spahr had six boards and four assists.
PLU outrebounded the Bearcats 36-32 but was unable to win the turnover battle with Willamette enjoying a 16-10 edge in points off turnovers while making more free throws (10) than the Lutes had attempts (six).
The Lutes are back on the hardwood tomorrow afternoon, hosting Lewis & Clark College at 4 p.m. inside Olson Gymnasium.
