Complete Box Score and Play by Play

Wegman led the Pirates with 18 points

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Whitworth College outscored visiting Willamette University by 20 points and outrebounded the Bearcats by 10 boards in the first half on the way to an 80-54 win in a Northwest Conference women's basketball game on Friday night in the Whitworth Fieldhouse.

The Pirates (7-4 overall, 1-2 NWC) held the Bearcats (5-6, 0-3) to 28.6% shooting in the first half while taking a 38-18 lead into the locker rooms. Whitworth had a 26-16 edge in rebounds at halftime, including an 11-6 advantage in offensive boards.

The Pirates never trailed, opening leads of 10-2, 17-4 and 25-10 over the course of the first half. When Kelli Highland scored inside, the Pirates led 38-16 with 38 seconds left, but Maggie Wilkins hit a jumper in the key just before the horn.

Willamette closed to within 46-31 after a pair of free throws by Victoria Swigart with 12 minutes to play, but that was as close as the Bearcats would get. Whitworth steadily pulled away, opening its biggest lead at 72-45 after a driving layin by Teresa Zeitler.

Whitworth has now won four games in a row, while Willamette's four game losing streak came to an end.

Danielle Wegman scored 18 points to lead the Pirates, while Emily Hendrickson added 16 points and Holly Riding scored 14 points. Highland scored 10 points off of the bench. Chelsea Combs came off of the bench to lead the Bucs with six rebounds.

Laura Payne led Willamette with 14 points and seven rebounds. Tracie Nygaard scored 11 points and Brittney Farrer came off of the bench for eight points.

Willamette travels to play Whitman College on Saturday at 6:00 pm, while Whitworth hosts Lewis & Clark College at 4:00 pm. Whitman defeated L&C 74-48 on Friday night.