Box Score FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Visiting Whitworth got double-figures from four different players to rally past Pacific University 67-63 in a Northwest Conference women's basketball game on Friday night at the Stoller Center.
The No. 13/15 Pirates survived the upset bid to improve to 14-0 overall and 5-0 in the NWC. The Boxers dropped to 6-8, 2-3.
Pacific had a 51-44 lead and possession when a three-pointer from the corner went in and out. Katara Belton-Sharp got the rebound and then hit a three-pointer for Whitworth at the other end to help finally turn the tide in the Pirates' favor.
"We've had enough close games this season that we don't panic," said head coach Helen Higgs. "Our players have confidence to make the plays down the stretch."
The Boxers led virtually the entire first half and for most of the game. A three-pointer by Abby Jones gave Pacific an early 8-2 advantage and Whitworth didn't take its first lead until KC McConnell's basket put the Pirates up 24-23. But Jones answered with another three-pointer to give Pacific the lead right back and the Boxers would eventually take a 37-33 advantage into halftime.
Whitworth briefly tied the game early in the second half when McConnell's basket made the score 44-44. But Pacific used a 7-0 run to open its largest lead, and the Boxers had their chance to stretch the advantage to double digits before Belton-Sharp's big shot.
Belton-Sharp then made three straight baskets for the Pirates to help Whitworth grab a 59-58 lead with 6:46 to play. The teams traded leads three more times down the stretch. Pacific had its final lead (63-61) following a basket by Sarah Curl with 3:34 to go. But the Boxers would not score again. Lexie Zappone then scored the tying and go-ahead baskets for the Bucs, the second with 1:24. McConnell then hit a pair of free throws with 18 seconds to play to help clinch the win.
"Lexie is a competitor and she'll take what the defense is giving without forcing the issue," Higgs said.
McConnell had 16 and Zappone scored 15 to lead Whitworth. Belton-Sharp scored 11 of her 12 points after halftime and Jessica Kramer finished with 11 points. Belton-Sharp also led all players with 11 rebounds.
Jones scored 17 points for Pacific while Curl chipped in with ten.
Whitworth's win set up a battle of unbeatens on Saturday night when the Pirates visit 10th-ranked George Fox (also 14-0, 5-0) at 4:00 pm.
