Box Score PORTLAND, Ore. - The Lewis & Clark women's basketball team dropped its Northwest Conference opener on Friday night against the Whitman Missionaries 64-48.
The loss drops the Pioneers to 3-7 on the season and 0-1 in NWC play. The Missionaries move to 6-4 overall and 1-0 in conference.
The Pioneers were led by a game-high 22 points by Ayisat Afolabi who finished 10-of-14 from the floor. Freshman Lauren Wood knocked down seven points for the Pioneers, while coming up with four rebounds, three steals, a block and two assists. Kaitlin Mathewson led the all players with six rebounds, while Afolabi also pulled down four.
Heather Johns and Chelsi Brewer each scored a team-high 11 points for the Missionaries, while Casey Poe earned a team-high five boards.
The Pioneers battled to an 11-7 advantage at the 12:03 mark thanks to a balanced scoring assault that saw Cianna Ochoco, Wood, Mathewson and Afolabi each score layups and Sarah Anderson knock down a three-pointer.
Whitman quickly tied the contest at 11 all before retaking the lead. The Missionaries would hold the lead the rest of the way.
The Pioneers return to the court on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 4 p.m. when they host #17 Whitworth.
