TACOMA, Wash. --- The Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team (7-11, 4-5 NWC) was unable to extend its win streak to four on Friday night, suffering a 71-46 setback at the hands of fifth-ranked Whitman College (17-1, 9-0 NWC) in a Northwest Conference battle inside Olson Gymnasium.
Emi Wada scored the game's opening bucket but the fifth-ranked Blues scored the next 13 points, part of a larger 19-4 run during the opening quarter of play. Visiting Whitman maintained a double digit gap the rest of the half, enjoying a 34-18 halftime edge.
The Lutes refused to back down in the second half, mounting a 12-2 run spanning the third and fourth quarters, a stretch that saw both
Raylie Wardenaar and
Kate Wooten drain threes.
Whitman's lead was cut to just 14 with 6:20 remaining, but a 15-2 run for the Blues sealed the game in the closing minutes.
"Whitman is a great team and on a night where we were short handed, I saw some bright spots from our bench. There is still a lot of season left to play and we'll be ready tomorrow." Said Head Coach
Lee Aduddell following Friday's game.
Senior Guard
Brandie Tobin led the Lutes scoring on Friday night, notching 12-points and grabbing seven boards over 23-minutes. PLU found scores by nine different Lutes, contributing to 34% from the field and 26.7% from beyond the arc.
The Lutes are back in action tomorrow evening, capping off their four-game homestand against in-state rival Whitworth University. Tipoff inside Olson Gymnasium is slated for 6 p.m.
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