Feb. 9, 2007

Second Half Surge Lifts Whitman Over Lutes

Game Statistics

Buckingham- leads the Lutes with 12 points

TACOMA, Wash. – The Whitman women's basketball team outscored Pacific Lutheran 38-27 in the second half and went on to win, 67-55, in Northwest Conference action Friday night at Olson Auditorium.

The win moves Whitman (6-7 NWC, 11-11 overall) into a tie with PLU (6-7 NWC, 11-10 overall) for sixth place in the Northwest Conference.

A pair of jumpers by Megan Clarno helped Pacific Lutheran jump out to an early lead, 12-6. Whitman pulled within two, 12-10, after Michelle Krall drained a jumper. The rest of the first half remained close with neither team leading by more than six points. The Lutes had a one point lead with under a minute in the half but a layup by Katie Patneaude gave the Missionaries the lead, 29-28, at the end of the first half.

The second half remained a close battle until a three ball by Krall sparked a 14-3 run by Whitman. That run saw three different Missionaries drain three pointers. Whitman made 5-of-9 three pointers in the second half.

The Lutes tried to pull back after Nikki Johnson and Clarno each drained a pair of free throws, but the Missionaries wouldn’t budge and walked off the court with the ‘W’.

The key to Whitman’s victory was great shooting from all over the court. The Missionaries shot 56 percent from the field, 47 percent from behind the three-point arc, and 100 percent from the free throw line. Katie Patneaude led the way for Whitman with 19 points. Emily Shubin grabbed seven boards for the Missionaries.

Pacific Lutheran couldn’t answer Whitman’s clutch shooting, making only 21-of-50 shots from the field. The Lutes were shut out from three point range, going 0-for-6. Trish Buckingham led the Lutes with 12 points. Johnson and Kezia Long each scored 11 with Johnson forcing four steals.

Pacific Lutheran returns to Northwest Conference action tomorrow afternoon, playing Whitworth at 4 p.m. at Olson Auditorium.

- PLU -