KIRKLAND, Wash. - Ashlyn Peterson dropped a season-high 24 points to lead visiting Whitworth to a 72-60 win over NAIA opponent Northwest (Wash.) in a non-conference women's basketball matchup on Tuesday at Kristi Brodin Pavilion.
The Pirates (1-4) earned their first win of the season behind a season-high 11 three-pointers and an active defense effort. The Eagles (3-4) had their three-game winning streak snapped. Â
Both teams moved the ball well and got high percentage looks early. The Bucs assisted on six of their first seven field goals and shot 50% from the field in the quarter, but Northwest shot even better (55%) and got out to a seven-point lead. The Pirates battled for key defensive stops and Mikiah Dunham's free throws gave them a 22-21 lead with a minute to go. Ella Whitaker's buzzer beating layup put the Eagles back up by one.
The Pirates maintained their strong play and started the second quarter on an 8-0 run, taking a 30-23 lead with a Dunham jumper at the 6:02 mark. Addyson Gallatin's bucket extended the advantage to 10 before taking a 37-29 lead into halftime. The active Whitworth defense allowed just six points in the second quarter. The Bucs shot 42.4% from the field in the first half and CC Size led all scorers with nine points.
Northwest started the second half with intensity and went on a 12-3 run. Kaleah Medeiros' three-pointer put the Eagles up 41-40 at the 5:33 mark. The Pirates regrouped and returned the favor with a 16-4 run, capped off by a long-range bucket from Size that put the Bucs up 56-45 with just over a minute left in the quarter. Northwest cut the lead to seven heading into the final frame.
Whitworth drilled four shots from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter to extend its lead, two from Peterson and one each from Size and Gallatin. The Pirates handled the Eagle pressure late and secured the win by holding Northwest to just three field goals in the quarter.
The Pirates shot 38.8% (26-67) from the field and 35.5% (11-31) from long distance. Whitworth edged Northwest in the rebound battle (37-36) and dished a season-high 16 assists. The Eagles shot 40.3% (25-62) from the floor and made just two of 17 (11.8%) three-point attempts.
Four Pirates scored in double figures led by Peterson's 24 on 5-11 shooting from beyond the arc. Size had 15, Gallatin had 11 and Dunham added 10. Ava DePew led the team with 12 rebounds and seven assists.
Medeiros led Northwest with 18 points. Ellie Bost scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds.
The Whitworth women will have an extended break from game action until Sunday, December 14th when they host Benedictine.
