by Kelsey Segren, Sports Information Assistant

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Whitman took the 77-74 win in overtime against the visiting Whitworth Pirates in Tuesday evening's Northwest Conference women's basketball contest.

The Pirates (13-11, 6-9 NWC) hung in with the No. 7 Blues (22-2, 14-1) in a close battle that saw 11 ties and 10 lead changes. Whitman's largest lead was six points and the game came down to a battle of free throws in overtime.

The Pirates found themselves down 14-11 after a poor shooting first period, finishing 25% (4-16) from the field through the quarter. The teams were tied at 9-9 after the first media timeout. A layup from Megan Dorney put the Bucs up 11-9 before the Blues took back the lead to close the first. 

Whitworth opened the second with baskets from Dorney and Quincy McDeid to take the 15-14 lead. The Blues took back the lead after a 6-0 run to bring the score to 22-17. McDeid made four consecutive free throws to bring Whitworth's deficit to 22-21 with 5:41 remaining in the quarter. The Pirates trailed by one after back-to-back three-pointers from Jordan Smith and then Macey Morales hit a three to tie the game at 30-30. Whitman went into the break with the 36-34 advantage after shooting 55.2% (16-29) from the floor through the first half.

The Pirates trailed 42-36 after scoring only two points through the first four and a half minutes of the third. McDeid's three-pointer followed by a layup from Dorney got the Pirates back within one (45-44) with 3:48 to go in the period. Whitman closed the quarter on a pair of free throws by Kaylie McCracken to take a 49-46 lead into the fourth.

Baskets from Talia Brandner and Smith tied the game at 64-64 with just over four minutes left in regulation. Smith gave the Pirates the lead with a free throw then forced a Blues turnover and drove in a layup for the 67-64 Pirate lead. Whitman tied the game at 67-67 after three free throws. The teams then shot a combined 0-8 through the rest of regulation to send the game to overtime.

Mady Burdett put the Blues up by two on a pair of free throws to open the overtime period. Neither team scored over the next two minutes until Smith made a jumper followed by one of two free throws to give the Pirates a 70-69 lead. Makana Stone and Lily Gustafson responded with baskets to give the Blues the 73-70 advantage with 42 seconds to go. Two free throws from McDeid to cut the Pirates' deficit to 74-72 with 20 seconds left. Burdett was sent to the free throw line and missed the second to give Whitworth a chance to tie it up. Abbott was fouled and made her free throws as Whitman led 75-74 with five seconds left. Whitman held off the upset after two more free throws from Taylor Chambers.

Whitworth shot 1-6 from the floor in the overtime period and made five of eight free throws.

Dorney led the Pirates with 19 points on 9-10 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds. Smith finished with 17 points, making three of six attempts from beyond the arc. McDeid added 13 points, including making 8-8 from the free throw line and Abbott finished with 10 points.

McCracken scored a game-high 20 points for the Blues. Stone recorded a double-double, finishing with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Burdett added 13 points and Gustafson tallied 11 points.

Whitworth will close the regular season at Linfield on Saturday at 4 p.m.