Nov. 24, 2006

Vikings Score Last Nine Points to Topple Lutes

(Courtesy Western Washington Sports Information Office)

Game Statistics

Nikki Johnson - leads Lutes with 18 points

BELLINGHAM, Wash. --- Forward Liz McCarrell scored a game-high 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as Western Washington University defeated Pacific Lutheran University, 68-61, in first-day action Friday at the 10th annual Western Washington University Lynda Goodrich Women’s Basketball Classic on Haggen Court at Sam Carver Gymnasium.

Western, ranked No.16 in NCAA Division II preseason top 25, improved to 2-1 with the triumph. Center Clare Pallansch had 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Vikings, and guard Mollie Stelmack added 11 points, all of them in the last five minutes.

Pacific Lutheran, ranked No.16 nationally in NCAA Division III preseason top 25, fell to 2-1. Forward Nikki Johnson led the Lutes with 18 points and guard Megan Clarno added 10.

The score was tied five times in the final five minutes, with the final deadlock at 59-59. PLU center Kezia Long broke that deadlock with a 12-footer with 2:02 left, but the Lutes didn’t score again, as the Vikings scored the final nine points of the game.

Pallansch started the charge, pulling Western within one on a free throw. Stelmack hit two free throws to give the Vikings a 62-61 lead with 1:22 to play, then hit a 3-pointer with 44 seconds left, putting Western up by four, 66-61, and essentially in control of the contest.

It was Western’s 19th consecutive regular-season victory at Carver Gym, and its 18th win in 19 Lynda Goodrich Classic contests. The Vikings have also won all 23 meetings with PLU.

The game was tied seven times in the first 13 minutes and neither team had a lead of more than four points until Pacific Lutheran scored the last seven points of the first half to take a 34-28 halftime lead.

On Saturday, Pacific Lutheran meets Saint Martin’s University at 1 p.m. and Western meets Northwest Missouri State University at 5 p.m. Northwest Missouri State beat Saint Martin’s, 80-58, in Friday’s other tourney game.

- PLU -