WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Whitworth University wrapped up play at the Kim Evanger Raney Memorial Classic with a 61-50 loss to St. Thomas (Texas) in a non-conference women's basketball matchup on Saturday at Sherwood Athletic Center.
The Celts (2-1) outscored the Pirates (0-2) 18-11 in the second quarter and maintained their lead in the second half to secure the win.
Ashlyn Peterson knocked down a pair of three-pointers to put the Bucs up 8-3 early in the game. St. Thomas responded with an 11-0 run, seven of those points coming from Amyia Bowie. Alex Goetz hit a shot from distance to cut the lead to 14-11 at the end of the first quarter.
The Celts extended their lead to seven in the second quarter, but the Bucs battled and got within two (22-20) after a long distance shot from Brenna Gilchrist and a layup from Mikiah Dunham. St. Thomas again responded to the Whitworth run with an 8-0 run of their own to close the half with a 32-22 lead. The Pirates shot 37.5% and the Celts shot 40.0% from the floor in the first half.
Despite the St. Thomas lead reaching as much as 17 halfway through the third quarter, Whitworth outscored the Celts 19-18 in the frame. Peterson had a huge quarter for the Pirate offense, hitting a trio of three-point baskets and scoring 13 of the 19 Whitworth points.
The Bucs couldn't cut into the lead any further as they were outscored 11-9 in a low scoring final quarter.
St. Thomas finished with a 35-25 advantage in rebounds and added 16 second-chance points to Whitworth's zero. The Celts shot 37.7% (23-61 FG) from the floor and 23.5% (4-17 FG) from beyond the arc. The Pirates shot 39.6% (19-48) from the field and made nine of 22 (40.9%) three-point attempts.
Peterson led the Bucs with 21 points on 7-14 shooting. Dunham had 14 and grabbed three rebounds. Alex Goetz and Talley each had three assists.
Bowie (14), Laura Jones (13), and Nora Aigberadion (12) each scored in double figures to lead St. Thomas.
The Whitworth women will look to earn their first win of the season against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Thursday, November 20th in California.
