WHITTIER, Calif. — The pen proved mightier than the sword on Friday night with host Whittier College holding off the Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team 59-47 in a physical season opener at Dave Jacobs Court. 

It was a defensive slugfest on Friday evening. The visiting Lutes (0-1) held the Poets (1-0) to shooting just 34.3 percent (23-for-67) from the floor and only 19 percent (four-for-21) from three point range but host Whittier gained the upper hand on the night by virtue of a 51-28 rebounding advantage that included the Poets hauling in 26 offensive rebounds.

"It was a physical battle tonight and rebounding was the story of tonight's game, We're going to make a lot of mistakes early in the season and our toughness will be measured by how quickly we grow," said Head Coach Lee Aduddell.

Whittier scored nine of the first 11 points of the game but the Lutes battled back, getting a layup from Ghadir Ramadan to make it a one possession game after one quarter of play. A Lilli Williams bucket just under a minute into the second quarter gave PLu its first lead of the night. The two teams would trade leads during the quarter with Whittier enjoying a 25-22 advantage at the halftime break.

Kylie Griffin made it a one point game just over a minute into the third quarter but the Poets scored 12 of the next 15 points to install a double digit advantage. The Lutes knifed it back down to seven later in the quarter but was unable to get any closer as the hosts held on for the win.

Eight different Lutes scored in the opener with Sydney Reisner and Ramadan leading the way with nine points apiece. Ramadan also grabbed a team-high six rebounds. Marina Spitzer added eight points, draining a pair of treys. 

PLU's bench outscored the Whittier reserves 21-15 but couldn't match the Poets' second chance scoring, with the home team owning a 19-1 edge in second chance points. 

"We're excited to get after it again tomorrow and continue to grow and learn as a team."

The Lutes' California trip continues tomorrow afternoon, facing University of Redlands at 4 p.m.