by Kelsey Segren, Sports Information Assistant

PARKLAND, Wash. – Pacific Lutheran went on a 14-2 run in the fourth quarter on the way to a 69-60 victory over visiting Whitworth in a Northwest Conference women's basketball game on Friday night.  

Megan Dorney finished with a career-high 23 points on 9-12 shooting for Whitworth (2-2, 2-2 NWC). Talia Brandner added 12 points and four assists. Quincy McDeid finished with a career-high 11 rebounds.

Five players reached double-digit scoring for Pacific Lutheran (2-4, 2-4). Toni Thibert finished with a double-double, leading the Lutes with 12 points and 11 rebounds on the night. Ava Edmonds finished with four blocks in addition to her 10 points.  

Whitworth got off to a slow start, shooting 1-7 through the first four minutes before taking the 9-8 lead on a 7-0 run. The Pirates went on another cold streak, while the Lutes closed the quarter on a 7-0 run to take an early 20-14 advantage.

Pacific Lutheran extended its lead to 27-16 after a three-pointer from Thibert less than two minutes into the second period. Dorney reached double-digit scoring on a layup to narrow the margin to 29-25. The Lutes maintained a 37-31 lead after two quarters.  

Whitworth trailed 40-38 after back-to-back baskets from Dorney and a three-pointer from Macey Morales. Another Morales three-pointer tied the game at 43-43 with just under five minutes remaining in the quarter. Whitworth tied the game twice more before taking a 48-47 lead on a Dorney free throw with under a minute remaining in the third.

Pacific Lutheran held Whitworth scoreless for a stretch of over four minutes in the final period. A 14-2 PLU run gave the Lutes a 64-56 lead with 01:37 left in the fourth. The Lutes continued to hold off the Pirates to earn the 69-60 victory.

Whitworth shot 34.9% (22-63) from the floor on the game, including 25% (5-20) from beyond the arc. Pacific Lutheran made 50% (27-54) of attempts from the field, shooting 38.1% (8-21) from three-point range.

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