Pirates' Five-Game Winning Streak Ends

Whitworth (11-10, 7-5 NWC) Lost at George Fox 70-43 Box score

Cassie Pilkinton

NEWBERG, Ore. -- What had been a competitive game for a half quickly deteriorated to a runaway in the second half as fifth-ranked George Fox University defeated visiting Whitworth University 70-43 in a Northwest Conference women's basketball game at Wheeler Sports Center.

The Pirates fell to 11-10 overall and 7-5 in the NWC after seeing their season-high five-game winning streak come to an end. The defending NCAA Division III champion Bruins improved to 19-2, 12-0 and won their 15th game in a row.

Natalie Orrell's two free throws gave Whitworth a 14-13 lead seven and a half minutes into the first half. Cassie Pilkinton hit a three-pointer to pull the Pirates within 21-20 four minutes later. But George Fox then went on a 14-0 run to take a 35-20 lead on Hannah Munger's lay up. Trailing 37-22, the Bucs scored five straight to get within 37-27 at halftime. Keilah Fanene had all five points in the spurt.

But then the wheels came off for Whitworth. After Pilkinton hit another three to get the Pirates within 39-30, George Fox ran off 20 consecutive points over the next seven minutes. The Bruins eventually extended the lead to 66-32 with 4:51 to play after holding Whitworth to only five points over the first 15 minutes of the second period.

After the Bucs made nearly 40% of their shots in the first half, Whitworth was held to only 28% (5-28) in the second half. The Pirates also struggled from the free throw line in the second period, going 4-10.

Pilkinton led Whitworth with 12 points, while Katie Delaney came off of the bench for nine points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

Keisha Gordon led George Fox with a game-high 22 points, making 4-8 from three-point range. Munger added 18 points and six rebounds.

Whitworth returns home to host Puget Sound (Friday) and Pacific Lutheran (Saturday) in two important games as the Pirates attempt to qualify for the NWC post-season tournament.