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WALLA WALLA, Wash. – The Whitman College women’s basketball team opened Northwest Conference play with a hard-fought 50-45 victory over Pacific University on Friday night at the Sherwood Center.
Morgan Montgomery led the way with a career-high 20 points for the Blues (6-4, 1-0 NWC), going 7-of-12 from the field, 2-of-4 from three-point range and 4-of-6 at the free-throw line, delivering timely baskets throughout the night and seven points in the decisive fourth quarter.
Whitman set the tone defensively early, holding Pacific to just five points in the first quarter and taking an 11-5 lead after 10 minutes. The Boxers responded with a strong second period to briefly pull in front, but Montgomery and senior forward Briana Andrade steadied the Blues, who carried a 23-21 advantage into halftime.
The third quarter turned into a defensive battle, with Whitman finding itself up 31-27 lead into the final frame. In the fourth, the Blues found just enough offense to close it out. Montgomery opened the period with an attack to the rim to stretch the lead, and later added a key three-pointer as Whitman built its largest cushion at seven points.
Pacific rallied late and trimmed the margin to three on a wing three by Sydney Esperanza in the final minute, but Whitman sealed the result at the free-throw line. Montgomery and Emma Lena Baker combined to convert crucial attempts in the closing seconds before the Blues closed the game with a defensive stand that included a blocked three-point attempt at the buzzer.
Andrade turned in a pivotal two-way performance with nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds, anchoring Whitman on the glass. Holly Morgan added eight points, eight rebounds and six assists.
As a team, Whitman held Pacific to 32.7 percent shooting from the field and just 2-of-14 from three-point range, while limiting the Boxers to six points in the third quarter. The Blues finished at 31.6 percent from the floor but made 12-of-16 free throws and generated 19 fourth-quarter points to close out the victory.
Pacific was led by Karina Franco with 11 points, while Esperanza added nine.
Whitman continues Northwest Conference play tomorrow night against Willamette. Tipoff at the Sherwood Center is set for 3:00 p.m.
#GoWhitman
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