BOX SCORE
WALLA WALLA, Wash. - The Lewis & Clark women's
basketball team hit the road on Friday night to take on the Whitman
Missionaries for the second half of the Northwest Conference
season, where the Pioneers fell to the Missionaries 61-56 in Walla
Walla, Wash.
With the loss the Pioneers slip to 12-6 on the season and 6-3 in
conference action, while the Missionaries are now 8-10 overall and
3-6 in the NWC.
The first half opened with the home team jumping out to a 9-4 lead,
beginning with two made baskets from inside, followed up by a
three-pointer four minutes into the half. The Pioneers would surge
back from the deficit, going on an 11-2 run, kick started by a made
jumper by freshman Kristina Williams. The Pios would collect a 10
point lead with 4:30 remaining in the half, after Neva Hauser laid
netted one in the paint, to take a 27-17 advantage. Whitman would
cut the Pioneer lead to six points right before the half, sending
the Missionaries into the locker room down 30-24.
In the second half, the Missionaries were able to pull even at
36-36 with 12 minutes left in the game, with a Kelly Peterson
three-pointer. The two sides would continue to challenge each other
throughout the period, tying the contest four more times, before
the Missionaries pulled ahead 50-44 after two made free throws and
a layup. The Pioneers came back with seven unanswered points to
sneak in front 51-50 with two minutes left on the clock, courtesy
of a Sara Villanueva layup. The Missionaries recaptured the lead
seconds later, before knocking down five of six free throws to lead
61-53 with seconds left. Christina Herring tried to help the
Pioneers come from behind, nailing a three-pointer in the final
seconds to complete the scoring.
Williams led the way for the Pioneers, scoring 14 points, while
coming down with five rebounds. Hauser chipped in 13 points, while
senior Talerra Rich put up 10.
The Missionaries were led by Hilary White who scored 14 points and
grabbed 13 boards, while adding four assists. Rebecca Sexton and
Peterson scored at game-high 16 points for Whitman.
The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m.
against the Whitworth Pirates in Spokane, Wash.
