by Kelsey Segren, Sports Information Assistant

SPOKANE, Wash. – Paige Gerhart and Sophie Nilsson led the visiting Puget Sound Loggers to a 79-58 victory over the Whitworth Pirates in Friday evening's Northwest Conference women's basketball contest.

The Pirates and Loggers were tied after the first quarter, but Puget Sound (2-3, 2-3 NWC) pulled away at the half and maintained a double-digit lead through the remainder of the game.

Quincy McDeid led Whitworth (1-1, 1-1 NWC) with 18 points, which included three of the Pirates' four three-pointers. Megan Dorney added 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Keara Simpson finished with 11 points.

Whitworth and Puget sound were tied 19-19 after the first quarter. Both the Pirates and Loggers shot 47.1% (8-17) from the floor in the period.

Puget Sound took a 37-27 lead into halftime, led by Nilsson's 13 points. The Loggers turned the ball over only one time through the first two periods. Whitworth shot 15.4% (2-13) from the floor in the second quarter, with Simpson and Dorney making the only baskets for the Pirates in the period.

UPS outscored Whitworth 27-18 in the third quarter on 60% (12-20) shooting from the floor, to take a 64-45 lead into the fourth. Gerhart gave the Loggers a 24-point lead (69-45), their largest of the game, with a three-pointer at 07:25 in the fourth. McDeid hit the Pirates first three since the first quarter to pull the deficit to 76-56 with 02:27 to go. The Loggers did not let the Pirates get any closer, taking the 79-58 victory.

Gerhart led the Loggers with 21 points and eight rebounds, while Nilsson finished with 16 points. Samantha Swartout and Katie Minnehan scored 10 points each. UPS forced 20 Pirate turnovers, only committing 10 of their own.

Whitworth shot 34.4% (21-61) from the floor and struggled from beyond the arc, making only 19% (4-21) of attempts. Puget Sound shot 50% (33-66) from the floor and 31.3% (10-32) from three. The Pirates finished with a 45-33 advantage in rebounds.

The Pirates and Loggers play again tomorrow evening at 5:30 p.m.