SALEM, Ore. – Emma Maxwell scored a career-high 17 points, but Whitworth lost its third straight to conference-leading Willamette 66-47 on Saturday night in Salem despite a strong start.

Whitworth (6-13 overall, 3-7 NWC) shot 6-14 (including four threes) in the first quarter but made just 10 of 44 from the field for the rest of the night, shooting less than 30% for the second straight game. Kimberly Dewey joined Edwards in double figures with 11 points on 4-14 shooting.

The Pirates looked strong early knocking down four threes in the first quarter as they built a six-point lead. Maxwell buried back-to-back triples before hitting a pull up jumper to close the first quarter, and Whitworth led 20-14. Maxwell finished 5-7 from behind the arc as part of her best game of the season.  Fitzgerald scored to open the second quarter putting the Pirates up eight (their largest lead of the game), but Willamette took over from there.

The Bearcats outscored Whitworth 16-5 in the second quarter, using a 10-0 run to close the half to take the lead for good. Jasmine Shigeno hit a three with 2:37 to go to take the lead from Whitworth for good, and Willamette led 30-25 at half. Dewey brought Whitworth within three early in the third, but Willamette responded with an 11-0 run fueled by four different scorers to take a 41-27 lead. After the first quarter, Whitworth was outscored 52-27 falling behind by 22 at one point.

Elyse Waldal led Willamette (12-7 overall, 9-1 NWC) with 13 points and Kaitlin Imai added 12 points. Willamette will keep pace with Pacific for first place in the conference after both took down Whitworth and Whitman this weekend.

Whitworth will prepare for a quick turnaround as they hit the road to play Whitman on Tuesday night.