IRVING, Texas — A slow start hamstrung the Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball squad on Saturday afternoon, closing out its two game tour of the Lone Star State with a 75-52 setback to the University of Dallas inside the Ed Maher Athletic Center.
"Today was another opportunity for us to learn and grow. We're still working through some things offensively and defensively, and our execution and communication need to improve," said Head Coach
Aly Lacey.
"We have to do a better job of trusting one another, understanding our responsibilities, and consistently doing the little things that allow us to be successful. We know this group is capable of more, and our focus moving forward is continuing to get better, stay connected, and find our identity as a team. We have to keep showing up, putting in the work, and believing in the process."
The host Crusaders (1-1) drained their first four shots of the game, including a pair of treys to race out to an early 10-0 lead just under two minutes into the game. The Lutes (1-3) responded, whittling the game to just three after consecutive treys from
Lilli Williams and
Kristie Kagawa, making it a 15-12 game with 1:40 left in the first quarter. Dallas still had more in the tank, responding with the final six points of the quarter, taking a 21-12 lead after 10 minutes of action.
Ciara De La O hit a three with just under three minute left before the half to reduce the deficit to just six but the Crusaders scored 11 of the next 13 and held a 42-29 advantage at the halftime intermission.
Dallas would hold at least an 11-point edge the entire second half for the wire-to-wire win.
Kylie Griffin led the Lutes' scoring efforts, finishing with 13 points, shooting five-for-10 from the floor while also netting three steals. Williams added 11 points with Brroke Chisholm dropping six points with a team-high eight rebounds and four assists.
PLU held a 30-29 rebounding edge but Dallas won the turnover battle 21-10 and shot a blistering 58.8 percent (10-for-17) from three point range. PLU held an 11-10 edge in second chance points and outmuscled the Crusaders with a 28-24 lead in points in the paint.
The Lutes are back in Washington this week, playing Division I Seattle University in an exhibition on Wednesday at 11 a.m. before hosting Whittier College on Friday at 6 p.m. inside Olson Gymnasium.
