TACOMA, Wash. – Whitworth's final game of the 2025-26 women's basketball season played out in a similar fashion to many that came before it.  The Pirates got out to a good start in the first quarter, but could not sustain the momentum in a 68-45 loss at Puget Sound on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Fieldhouse.

Whitworth finishes 5-20 overall and 4-12 in the NWC.  The Bucs suffered 20 losses in one season for the first time in school history.  Puget Sound (20-5 overall, 13-3 NWC) tied for second in the final standings and takes considerable momentum into next week's NWC women's basketball tournament.

Whitworth led for most of the first quarter, taking a 6-3 lead on a basket by Ava DePew and going up 12-7 on a three-pointer by Addyson Gallatin.  The Pirates led 12-9 after the first period after holding the Loggers to 3 of 13 shooting and forcing six turnovers.

The game turned quickly after Puget Sound opened the second quarter with a 17-0 run over the first six minutes.  They started the run with three straight three-pointers, including two by Carmen Cruz.  The Loggers went on to outscore Whitworth 24-6 in the period and led 33-18 at halftime.  The Pirates went 3 of 11 in the period and turned the ball over six times.

Whitworth was unable to make headway in the third quarter.  Cruz converted a three-point play to allow her team to double up the Pirates' score at 42-21 with three minutes left in the period.  Ashlyn Peterson hit a jumper with 30 seconds left to get Whitworth within 47-29 heading to the fourth.

The Pirates made a run early in the fourth, pulling within 49-36 when DePew converted a three-point play.  Paige Oh answered with a three for Puget Sound. Whitworth never got closer the rest of the way.  When Cruz drained another trey for the Loggers the lead was back to 20 points (59-39). 

Gallatin and Ashlyn Neilsen scored 11 points apiece to lead the Pirates offensively.  Gallatin also had a team-high seven rebounds.  Peterson finished with nine points despite picking up three early fouls and missing much of the first half.    Whitworth finished the game 15 of 59 (25%) from the field and 3 of 20 (15%) from three-point range. 

Cruz scored 27 points for the Loggers.  Clayton Smith's eight rebounds helped Puget Sound outrebound the Bucs 49-33.  The Loggers made 25 of 61 shots (41%), including 9 of 20 (45%) from beyond the arc.  Cruz made six of her 10 three-point attempts.

Whitworth is scheduled to return its entire roster next season.