TACOMA, Wash. — A big third quarter put the Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team in the driver's seat on Friday night, using a mid-game surge to sink Whitworth University 65-59 in the penultimate game of the Northwest Conference regular season.
 
"What a team win for the Lutes!" said Head Coach Lee Aduddell. 
 
"Our motto tonight was 'no quit' and we could have after giving up a big first quarter. I'm so proud of the way they fought until the end."
 
The Lutes (3-21, 2-13 NWC) put the clamps on the Pirates (5-19, 4-11 NWC), limiting the visitors to shooting a paltry 29.4 percent (20-for-68) from the floor, including just 17.1 percent (six-for-35) in the second half inside Olson Gymnasium. 
 
PLU trailed by as many as 12 in the opening quarter but weathered the storm, pulling within two on two occasions and trailed by just five at the break. The Lutes came out of the half swinging, scoring 12 consecutive points to seize control of the game. 
 
Lilli Williams ignited the run, getting a pair of quick buckets to make it a one point game with 7:23 left in the third. A Kylie Griffin steal set up a go ahead layup from Ghadir Ramadan before getting buckets from Williams, Griffin, and Ava Bright. 
 
The Pirates whittled the gap to just three but another surge, including a Williams three and a Ramadan layup at the buzzer gave the Lutes an 11-point buffer heading into the final period.  

Whitworth reduced the lead to just four but the Lutes were poised at the free throw line to hold on for the six point win. 

Four Lutes finished in double figures with Ramadan posting her second double-double of the year with 12 points and 13 boards. Williams had 15 points and six rebounds while Sydney Reisner added 15 points and six boards with nine of those points coming at the charity stripe. Emi Wada added 10 while Griffin had a full stat sheet with nine points, seven rebounds, five steals, and three blocks. 
 
PLU won the turnover battle and enjoyed a 28-10 edge in points in the paint, including a dominant third quarter that saw the Lutes outscore the Pirates 16-2 in the paint. 

Lutes sink the Pirates to open the final homestand of the year!#GoLutes pic.twitter.com/aomIeSnfSI

— PLU Athletics (@golutes) February 21, 2026

 
The Lutes close out the season tomorrow afternoon, honoring seniors Emi Wada and Sydney Reisner pregame before battling Whitman College. Tipoff inside Olson Gymnasium is set for 3 p.m.