TACOMA, Wash. — The short staffed Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team outscored visiting Pacific University in the second half but it wasn't enough to overcome a sluggish start in the opening two quarters, falling 66-54 on Friday night in a Northwest Conference clash inside Olson Gymnasium. 

The Lutes outscored the Boxers 36-25 in the second half, including a 20-9 edge in the final quarter but it wasn't enough to negate Pacific's hot start. Pacific Lutheran held the Boxers scoreless for the final six minutes of the game, whittling the gap to a dozen on a Kristie Kagawa three in the final minute. 

The Boxers (8-6, 32- NWC) shot a blistering 50 percent from the floor in the first quarter, using a 13-4 run to end the quarter, turning a one possession game into a 12-point cushion. Pacific earned further separation in the second quarter, using a 7-0 run to increase the gap and take a 41-18 edge into intermission.

Sydney Reisner led the Lutes (1-13, 0-5 NWC) with 13 points on a night the team was without the services of second leading scorer Lilli Williams. Kiley McMahon came off the bench and scored 11 while Emi Wada had nine points and four assists. Kate Wooten logged seven points and six rebounds.

"There's no excuse for our effort tonight. We got the outcome we earned and can't expect to win in this league without competing at a higher level," said Head Coach Lee Aduddell. 

PLU was nearly perfect at the free throw line, hitting 11 of its 12 attempts. The Lutes outshot the Boxers, holding the visitors to just 32.9 percent (24-for-73) for the game but was outmuscled on the boards with Pacific enjoying a 57-28 rebounding gap.

The Lutes are back inside Olson Gymnasium tomorrow afternoon, hosting NWC-leading Linfield University at 3 p.m.