Blues Clinch NWC Regular Season Title, Baker Sets Rebounding Record

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Korin Baker delivered a monster performance with a game-high 25 points to guide the No. 5 Whitman College women’s basketball team to a hard-fought 68-65 win over George Fox to win the Northwest Conference regular season title.

The victory ensures the Blues (21-1, 13-0 NWC) will host the NWC Tournament as the league’s top seed which takes place later this month at the Sherwood Center. The title was the fifth in six seasons for the Blues who cut down the nets in celebration following the game.

The win over the Bruins was a time for individual achievement as well. Baker grabbed her first of eight rebounds early in the game to set a new program record for career rebounds, breaking the mark of 902 held by Jennifer McClure.

Hanne Hopkins led the Bruins with 21 points and Alyssa Wells added 18 points and a team-high seven rebounds. 

The opening quarter saw the Blues take a tie game with 4:52 to play and open up an 11-point lead by the end of the period. Baker had three and-one three-point plays during that stretch as Whitman ran off seven unanswered points and took some serious momentum heading into the second quarter.

The second period saw a much closer affair but still with the Blues extending their lead heading into halftime. Wells and Mia Skoro both knocked down jumpers, but Baker continued to be handful in the post. She again was fouled but still made the basket, hitting the free throw to put her team up 28-19 with 8:04 to play until halftime. Holly Morgan and Brianna Andrade both scored at the hoop to help Whitman to a 16-point lead with 4:52 to play as the Blues took a 14-point lead into the break.

Whitman held a double digit lead for the entire third quarter but just couldn’t shake the pesky Bruins who entered the day second in the NWC standings. They chipped away at the lead in the fourth quarter and whittled it all the way down to a one possession game late in the game. Timely shooting and solid defense down the stretch helped Whitman prevail and remain perfect in league play.

The Blues close out the weekend on Saturday with Senior Night against Pacific. Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m.
 

#GoWhitman

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