BOX
SCORE
McMINNVILLE, Ore. – A last second jumper
from freshman Sara Villanueva in the final second of the Lewis
& Clark women's basketball team's Northwest
Conference match-up against the Linfield Wildcats, snapped the
Pioneers four game losing streak, handing them the 52-51
victory.
The Pioneers improve to 13-7 on the season and 7-4 in the NWC,
while the Wildcats slip to 4-16 overall and 2-9 in conference play.
The victory marks the second time the Pioneers have defeated the
Wildcats this season, after earning a 73-65 win on Jan. 8 in the
Pamplin Sports Complex.
The Pios opened the game with a quick 3-0 lead, when sophomore
Megan Spence knocked down a wide open three-pointer with an assist
from Christina Herring. The Wildcats would take control of the lead
three minutes later with a Nadra Evans jumper, before Spence hit a
jumper of her own with 13:10 to play, to give the Pios a 7-6
advantage. Not to be outdone, Kelsey Forrest hit a three-pointer
for Linfield just seconds later to give the Wildcats the lead once
more. Linfield would not concede the lead throughout the remainder
of the half, taking a 20-16 advantage into the locker room.
In the second half, the Wildcats would maintain control of the lead
until senior Talerra Rich hit a three-pointer with 6:39 on the
clock to temporarily give the Pios the lead back. Linfield would
get the lead back with another three-pointer from Forrest, but the
Pioneers would continue to knock on the door, as they had done all
half, keeping the Wildcats on the edge of their seat. With a little
over a minute left, Neva Hauser hit a jumper that pulled the
Pioneers within one point of the Wildcats. Sloppy play from the
Wildcats and relentless will power from the Pioneers in the final
minute of action opened up the door for a last second shot from
Villanueva, which sailed through the basket with no time to spare.
The basket was enough to propel the Pios past Linfield by one
point.
Williams led both teams in points, scoring 16 for the Pios, while
also contributing nine boards and three steals in the win. Spence
added 13 points and nine rebounds, while Villanueva finished with
11 points.
Forrest was the Wildcats leading scorer, finishing the night with
12 points. Gretchen Owens added 11 points to the Linfield offensive
efforts.
The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. when
they host the Pacific Lutheran Lutes.
