TACOMA, Wash. — The Lewis & Clark College women's basketball team battled throughout Friday night, but Pacific Lutheran University held on for a 61-52 Northwest Conference win at Olson Auditorium.

THE BASICS

Pacific Lutheran 61, Lewis & Clark 52
(Lewis & Clark 4-12, 1-6 NWC)
(Pacific Lutheran 6-10, 3-4 NWC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Sophomores led the way for the Pioneers, with Madilyn Palosi scoring 18 points, including three 3-pointers, and Lauryn Frederickson recording a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. D.J. Kendrick added eight points, while Divinity Singleton contributed six points and four assists. First-year Kaitlen Carns added six points, one assist, and one rebound in 32 minutes of play.

The Lutes took an early lead to open the game, but the Pioneers kept the deficit within two possessions before grabbing a three-point advantage, 12-9, after Palosi hit a 3-pointer and junior Madelyn Sanchez sank the second of two free throws at the 4:11 mark. Pacific Lutheran closed the quarter on a 9-3 run, taking an 18-15 lead after one period.

The Pioneers threatened in the second quarter, with free throws by Frederickson pulling Lewis & Clark within one (18-17), a driving shot from Kendrick cutting it to 24-21, and a layup by Singleton making it 28-23 with two minutes remaining. However, the Lutes maintained their advantage and took a 32-27 lead into halftime.

Pacific Lutheran's Taylor Schmidtke scored the first eight points of the second half for her team, helping the Lutes grab their first double-digit lead at 42-31 with four minutes left in the third quarter. The Lutes extended their advantage to 47-37 heading into the final frame.

Lewis & Clark mounted a fourth-quarter comeback attempt behind Palosi's sharp shooting and Frederickson's interior presence. The Pioneers cut the deficit to single digits multiple times, pulling within 51-46 with five minutes to go, but they could get no closer.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Palosi has now scored in double figures in four consecutive games and has made 18 3-pointers during that stretch.
• Frederickson's double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) marks her seventh of the season and ninth of her career.
• Singleton led the team with a career-high four assists and tied Frederickson and Sanchez for a team-best two steals.

 WHO'S NEXT

The Pioneers host George Fox University tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. in Pamplin Sports Center to wrap up the first half of NWC play.