The Pioneer women's basketball team came back from down 11 in the second half to defeat the visiting Pacific Lutheran Lutes 70-67 (box score) in overtime. Crystal Castle has a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

With the Pacific Lutheran leading 30-26 to start the second half, the Lutes pushed their lead out to 11, 43-32 with 14:43 remaining in the game on a layup by Amanda Tschauner. Helped by a three-pointer by Kim Kittell (sophomore, Tillamook, Ore.) and an and-one layup by Shawna Castle (senior, Rocklin, Calif.), the Pioneers cut the lead to two, 45-43, four minutes later. The Pioneers finished off the comeback, tying the game 45-45, on a layup by Tallera Rich (sophomore, Los Alamos, N.M.) with 9:13 remaining. After three more ties, the Pioneers took a 54-51 lead on a jumper by Crystal Castle (senior, Rocklin, Calif.). The Lutes pulled within one, 56-55, on a pair of freethrows by Nikki Scott. A one point differential was as close as the Lutes would come until a three-pointer by Kyle Haag gave the Lutes a one-point lead with 18 seconds remaining. Crystal Castle was fouled with seven seconds on the clock to give the Pioneers a chance at the lead. She hit one of two freethrows to tie the game and send it to overtime.

After four more ties in overtime, the Lutes took a 67-65 lead on a pair of freethrows by Melissa Richardson. Shawna Castle hit a three-pointer with 26 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Pioneers a 68-67 lead. Nikki Scott had a jumper on the other end blocked by the Pioneers' Kim Kittell. Crystal Castle pulled in the rebound and was immediately fouled. With 3 seconds remaining on the clock, Castle hit both freethrows to extend the Pioneer lead to 70-67. PLU did not manage to get off a final shot as the Pioneers held on for the victory.

For the Lutes, Emily Voorhies had a game-high 20 points with 12 rebounds. Kyle Haag scored 12 points with three blocks.

For the Pioneers, Crystal Castle had the 14th double-double of her career with a tea-high 17 points and 12 rebounds. Crystal also had four assists, four steals, and no turnovers. Allison Farr (senior, Lakeport, Calif.) scored 12 points, all in the first half. Kim Kittell had 12 rebounds, six steals, and two blocks. Shawna Castle scored ten points.

With the win, the Pioneers improve to 5-6 (1-1 NWC). The Lutes fall to 7-4 (0-2 NWC).

The Pioneers are on the road next weekend. playing in Eastern Washington beginning with a 6pm Friday evening game against Whitworth in Spokane followed by a Saturday 4pm game at Whitman. Both games will be carried live on the internet on sportsjuice.com.

Note: Prior to the game, a special ceremony was held to commemorate Crystal Castle's 1,000th career point. Crystal scored the 1,000th point on the road in December against Concordia, but the team waited until she was back on the home court to honor the achievement. She is the seventh player in Lewis & Clark Women's Basketball history to reach the 1,000 point plateau. She currently ranks fifth on the all-time career scoring list.