BOX
SCORE
PORTLAND, Ore. – As the season continues on,
the Lewis & Clark women's basketball team continues to
display their drive, coming back from a 13 point half-time deficit
to defeat the Pacific Lutheran Lutes, 64-58, in a Northwest
Conference contest on Saturday night in the Pamplin Sports
Complex.
The win helped the Pioneers take full possession of third place in
the NWC, following a Whitworth loss to George Fox earlier in the
night. The Pios are now 14-7 on the season and 8-4 in conference
play, while the Lutes fall to 7-14 overall and 5-7 in
conference.
The Pioneers opened the game with a made free throw from Christina
Herring, but the Lutes quickly countered by going on an 8-0 run
over the next two minutes. Pacific Lutheran then went on to post a
16-3 lead with 14:12 remaining after Jordan Westering scored
back-to-back free throws. The Lutes would continue to hold a
double-digit lead until Megan Spence knocked down a jumper with
4:51 remaining in the half, to adjust the score to 24-16. The
Pioneers held the Lutes to 24 points throughout the remainder of
the half, pulling within two, 24-22, at the intermission.
In the second half, the Pios took the lead in the opening minute on
a Paige Dinnie three-pointer and would maintain a slim lead over
the Lutes for the next five minutes. Pacific Lutheran was able to
regain their momentum a fourth of the way through the half and
quickly surged ahead 45-36 on a three-pointer from Sara Backstrom
with 9:01 to play. The Pios continued to pressure the Lutes,
allowing them very little breathing room, and were able to score 17
of the next 24 points to take a 53-52 advantage on a Talerra Rich
layup with 3:25 to play. The two teams traded possession of the
lead in the closing minutes, before the Pioneers turned on the jets
to earn the six point, 64-58, victory.
The Pios received a game-high 21 points from Spence, who also
pulled down 12 boards for her second double-double of the season.
Sara Villanueva ended the night with 14 points, while Talerra Rich
scored 12 points and came down with six boards.
The Lutes were led by Backstrom who scored 18 in her teams efforts.
Westering scored 15 points and Melissa Pixler had 13.
The Pioneers return to the court on Tuesday, Feb. 9 when they host
the Willamette Bearcats at 8 p.m.
