Jan. 12, 2007

Whitman Women Post 63-52 NWC Victory Over Pacific Lutheran

Game Statistics

Nikki Johnson - 13 points, 10 rebounds

WALLA WALLA, Wash. - Kelsey Krumdieck scored 19 points and Katie Patneaude added 17 to power Whitman College to a 63-52 victory over visiting Pacific Lutheran in Northwest Conference women's basketball action Friday night in Sherwood Center.

Whitman improved to 4-1 in the NWC, 9-5 overall, to retain a share of first place in the conference. Pacific Lutheran, ranked No. 24 in this week's d3hoops.com Top 25 national poll, dropped to 3-2 in conference and 8-5 on the season.

Whitman raced away to a 17-6 lead eight minutes into the first half, but the Lutes closed to within 25-20 by halftime. The Missionaries scored the first six points of the second half and maintained a lead of no fewer than eight points the rest of the way.

Nikki Johnson paced Pacific Lutheran with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Melissa Richardson added eight points and six boards for the Lutes, who shot just 28.3 percent from the floor for the game. Pacific Lutheran stayed close in the second half by making 16-of-22 free throw attempts.

Whitman outrebounded the taller Lutes 39-36 and hit 44.2 percent of its field goal attempts. Krumdieck led the Missionaries with nine rebounds.

Pacific Lutheran returns to Northwest Conference action on Saturday, playing Whitworth at 6 p.m. in Spokane. Whitman stays at home Saturday for another NWC game, squaring off with Puget Sound at 6 p.m. in Sherwood Center.

- PLU -

(Courtesy Whitman Sports Information Office)