HONOLULU, Hawaii – After Whitworth took the lead with five minutes to play in the third quarter, Albion outscored the Pirates 31-8 the rest of the way in a 71-49 win over the Pirates on Monday afternoon at the Hoops in Hawaii Classic on the campus of Hawaii Pacific University.
Whitworth's women finish the non-conference schedule with a 1-8 record. The Bucs will open Northwest Conference play on Friday, January 2nd at home against Willamette.
After the Brits jumped ahead 7-2, the Bucs fought back to take their first lead at 10-9 on a three-point basket by Ashlyn Peterson. Albion finished the quarter on an 8-2 run to lead 17-12 after one period.
The Brits extended the margin to 27-16 three minutes into the second quarter, taking their first double digit lead on a basket by Megan Trewhella. Trailing 33-22, Whitworth got within 33-27 at the break after an Ava DePew three-pointer and a basket by Addison Gallatin at the buzzer.
The Pirates finally tied the game 38-38 on Peterson's layup then took their first lead of the second half (41-10) on a CC Size three pointer with 5:04 left in the third. Whitworth would not score again in the period, getting outscored 9-0 over the final five minutes. The Bucs missed their last seven shots and committed three turnovers.
Ashlyn Neilsen briefly stemmed the tide when she made a three-pointer to start the fourth quarter and pulled Whitworth within 51-44. Albion then put the game out of reach with a 17-1 run, going up 68-45 with just under four minutes to go.
Peterson scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Pirates. DePew posted a double-double with ten points and ten boards, while dishing three assists. Whitworth finished 19 of 62 from the field (30.6%) and 6-26 (23.1%) from three-point range.
Trewhella led Albion (9-2) with 22 points, while Payton Baker added 16. The Brits made 48% (31-65) from the field, 36% (4-11) from beyond the arc. Albion finished with a 42-38 edge in rebounding.
