BOX SCORE

PORTLAND, Ore., - The Lewis & Clark College women's basketball team closed out their 2008-09 home campaign in style, defeating Northwest Conference foe Linfield College 56-52. Prior to the start of the game the Pioneers honored lone senior Emily Deichsel for her  dedication to the program for the last four seasons.

Megan Spence was the Pioneers leading scorer, contributing 13 points, while leading all players in rebounds with seven. Spence finished the game shooting 4-7 from the field and a perfect 5-5 from the charity stripe. Whitney Honn was the Wildcats leading scorer, tying Spence for a game-high 13 points.

The first half of action got off to a quick start for the Pioneers with Deichsel kick starting things with a made jumper just seconds into the period. Following the Deichsel basket the half would belong to the Pioneers, who would maintain possession of the lead the remainder of the half. The Pioneers would grab their largest lead of the game with 7:58 to play in the half, after Margaret Dowling sank two free throws to increase the Pioneer advantage to 20-10. Lewis & Clark would head into the locker room leading 30-25.

Linfield made things interesting in the final minutes of the second half, battling from behind to keep the game within one for a six minute span. The game was 53-52 with 00:37 remaining on the clock, but the Pioneers would persevere starting with a layup from Tallera Rich. Kim Kittell would seal the Pioneer victory with a good free throw with just 00:03 remaining, helping L&C improve to 10-12 on the season (4-9 NWC).

Linfield slides to 3-18 and 2-10.

Lewis & Clark shot .396 (19-48) from the floor, while hitting 16-20 (.800) from the free throw line. Linfield ended the night shooting .339 (19-56) from the field and .714 (10-14) from the free throw line.

The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, Feb. 14, hitting the road to take on Willamette at 6 p.m.