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LEWISTON, Idaho – The Whitman College women’s basketball team battled to the final horn but could not complete a second-half comeback, falling 69-63 at Lewis-Clark State College on Thursday night to close out a tough back-to-back road swing.
Emma Lena Baker again paced the Blues with a team-high 18 points, while Morgan Montgomery added 10 points and narrowly missed a double-double with a game-high nine rebounds. With the loss, Whitman moves to 5-4 on the season after the demanding back-to-back road set, while Lewis-Clark State improves to 8-3.
LC State used a fast start and efficient shooting to build a 36-27 halftime lead, shooting over 57 percent in the second quarter while the Blues tried to keep pace at the free throw line. Whitman responded after the break with a 23-point third quarter, trimming the deficit to 53-50 heading into the fourth behind improved shooting and more aggressive play in the paint.
In the final period, Whitman briefly pulled even at 53-53 on a Baker three-point play, and a Briana Andrade triple gave the Blues a 56-55 edge, their first lead since early in the game.
The Warriors, however, answered with timely drives and free throws down the stretch, closing on a late surge to keep Whitman from completing the comeback.
Baker’s 18 points came on 5-of-13 shooting from the field and an 8-of-10 effort at the foul line, as she repeatedly attacked the rim and converted in traffic. Montgomery provided a crucial two-way presence with 10 points, nine rebounds, and a pair of three-pointers, sparking Whitman’s third-quarter rally.Briana Andrade delivered 17 points, including two threes, while also contributing five rebounds, a block, and three steals in an all-around performance on the wing.
The game closes the book on December competition as Whitman will next be in action on Jan. 2 against Pacific for the start of Northwest Conference play. Tipoff at the Sherwood Center is set for 5:30 p.m..
#GoWhitman
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