TACOMA, Wash. — An early lead wasn't enough on Friday evening for the Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team as visiting Whitworth University pulled away in the third quarter, downing the Lutes 78-63 in a Northwest Conference showdown inside Olson Gymnasium.
 
PLU (11-13, 3-12 NWC) trailed by a single possession heading into the third quarter but the visiting Pirates (9-15, 6-9 NWC) shot a blazing 71.4 percent (10-for-14) from the floor to pull away, staking a double digit lead heading into the final quarter of play. It was a two-point game 52 seconds into the second half courtesy of an Ava Edmonds layup but Whitworth tallied 24 of the remaining 35 points in the quarter, establishing a double-digit gap with 2:02 remaining and taking a 57-42 advantage into the fourth. 
 
PLU was unable to put a dent into the Pirates' lead in the fourth as the visitors held on for the 15-point win. 

"Our defense is typically our calling card but we did not defend well tonight, " said Head Coach Lee Aduddell.
 
The Lutes never trailed in the opening quarter, scoring the opening five points and enjoying a 14-11 edge after 10 minutes of play. PLU's lead inched up to eight on a Emi Wada layup early in the second quarter but the visiting Pirates battled back, using a 12 -2 run later in the half to take their first lead of the game, building a 31-27 advantage with 1:33 left before halftime. A pair of free throws from Sydney Reisner narrowed the gap as the Lutes headed into the break trailing 31-29. 
 
Edmonds led the Lutes with 15 points and five rebounds, hitting a trio of threes while Ashley Akamine added 14 points. Reisner was the third Lute in double figures, dropping 11 while Kasidy Javernick had eight points and five boards.
 
PLU enjoyed a 34-30 edge in points in the paint but the Pirates' showed off their depth with the Whitworth reserves outscoring the Lute reserves 20-13 while also making more free throws (14) than PLU had attempts (13). Whitworth finished the game shooting 48.3 percent (29-for-60) from the field, including 61.3 percent (19-for-31) in the second half. 

"We get one more opportunity and we're looking forward to playing for our seniors and alumna tomorrow."
 
The Lutes close out the 2023-2024 season tomorrow evening, hosting in-state rival Whitman College at 6 p.m. The team will honor its two seniors— Ava Edmonds and Kaylie Bracy prior to tipoff and honor Lute women's basketball alumna at halftime.