Feb. 2, 2007

Poor Shooting Hampers Lutes In Loss To Lewis & Clark

Game Statistics

Megan Clarno- leads the Lutes with 12 points

TACOMA, Wash. – The Lewis & Clark women's basketball team hung on to beat Pacific Lutheran, 58-54, in Northwest Conference action Friday night at Olson Auditorium.

The win moves Lewis & Clark (6-5 NWC, 13-7 overall) into a third place tie in the Northwest Conference with Whitworth. Pacific Lutheran falls to 6-6 in the NWC and 11-9 overall.

The first half saw poor shooting by both teams with the Lutes making 9-of-26 field goals while the Pioneers shot 9-of-29. The game was close until Lewis & Clark went on a 12-4 run. The Lutes pulled within four with a jumper by Trish Buckingham, but a clutch three pointer by Crystal Castle gave the Pioneers a 27-20 lead at the end of the first half.

The second half started off with a jumper by Allison Farr to put Lewis & Clark up 29-20, but a 13-4 run by the Lutes tied the game up at 33-33. The next five minutes remained close until Danika Lawson’s layup put the Lutes ahead by five, 46-41, with 9:11 left to play. Lewis & Clark tied it up 48-48 with 6:50 to go in the game but a three pointer by Megan Clarno gave the Lutes the lead 51-48. The next five minutes saw the Pioneers go on an 8-0 run to put them up 56-51 with under a minute to go in the game. Clutch free throws by Sarah Moon put Lewis & Clark up by four with 12 seconds left to seal the game.

Lewis & Clark had three players in double figures with Crystal Castle leading the way with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Samantha Jonasson tallied 14 points and grabbed eight boards and had three blocks.

Clarno led the Lutes with 12 points and four assists. Kezia Long had four rebounds to pace the Lutes. Nikki Johnson, last year's Northwest Conference MVP, was held to a career-low three points.

Lewis & Clark out-rebounded the Lutes, 34-22, in the second half. The Pioneers' free throws were key to their victory as they made 13-of-15 in the second period.

Pacific Lutheran returns to Northwest Conference action next Friday, playing Whitman at 6 p.m. at Olson Auditorium.

- PLU -