TACOMA, Wash. — The final minutes of the first quarter proved the difference maker on Saturday afternoon, with an early run just enough to spoil the Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team's return home to Olson Gymnasium as Northwest Conference rival Willamette University grinded out the 63-52 victory.
 
"We dug ourselves a hole in the first quarter that we worked hard to overcome," said Head Coach Lee Aduddell. 
 
"Credit to the players for making some adjustments in the second half but Willamette made big plays in big moments."
 
The visiting Bearcats (9-13, 6-7 NWC) enjoyed a 27-12 lead after one quarter of play after finishing the period on a 9-0 run. PLU would match Willamette's scoring in the second and outscore the visitors in both the third and fourth quarters but it wasn't enough to shake the slow start. 
 
The Bearcats scored the opening bucket but the Lutes (2-19, 1-11 NWC) tallied the next six, with Lilli Williams accounting for four of those points as the Lutes led 6-2 just over two minutes into the game. Willamette charged back, tying the game at six and again at eight before scoring eight straight to seize a 16-8 edge with four minutes left in the first quarter. A Ghadir Ramadan layup made it a six point gap but the Bearcats finished the quarter on a 9-0 run, owning a 27-12 lead after 10 minutes of play. The two teams were evenly matched in the second with Willamette taking a 41-26 lead into the halftime intermission.
 
PLU outscored Willamette 13-12 in the third and 13-10 in the fourth quarter. The Lutes had reduced the deficit to single digits midway through the third period on an Emi Wada three but it was as close as the hosts would get in Willamette's 11-point win. 

Wada and Williams paced the Lute offense, both finishing with 10 points. Wada was efficient from the floor, shooting four-for-six, while Williams had seven rebounds. Kylie Griffin dropped nine points and had three assists while Kate Wooten was good for nine points, seven rebounds, and two blocks.
 
The Lutes are back on the road next weekend, facing Linfield University on Friday night. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.