Complete Box Score and Play by Play

Hendrickson scored with 2.7 seconds left

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Emily Hendrickson's put back basket with 2.7 seconds left lifted Whitworth College to a 63-61 comeback victory over visiting Whitman College in a Northwest Conference women's basketball game on Tuesday night in the Whitworth Fieldhouse.

Hendrickson's basketball capped a seesaw night in which the Pirates (9-6 overall, 3-4 NWC) came from behind twice to beat the Missionaries (6-9, 2-5). Over the last two seasons Whitworth has come from double digit deficits to defeat Whitman three times in a row.

After Whitworth took a 2-0 lead on a lay in by Hendrickson 33 seconds into the game, Whitman went on a 12-0 run to open up its first double digit lead. Lizzy Washburn then scored two baskets in a row to extend the lead to 16-4. With 3:54 left in the half Washburn scored again to give the Missionaries a 28-13 lead, their largest lead of the game.

Whitworth closed the half on an 11-4 run, including five points by Amy Ridings, to pull within 32-24 at halftime. The Pirates kept the momentum at the start of the second half, outscoring Whitman 9-2 to pull within 34-33. Back to back baskets by Danielle Wegman gave the Pirates their first lead of the second half at 39-38. Whitworth extended the lead to 49-42 after a short jumper by Holly Ridings with less than 10 minutes to play, forcing a Whitman time out.

But the Missionaries responded with a 12-0 run over the next four minutes. Megan Higgins began the rally with a short jumper and ended it with a three pointer to give Whitman a 54-49 lead with 6:20 to play.

Trailing 59-54 with four minutes to play, Whitworth closed the game on a 9-2 run to pull out the win. Hendrickson's basket with 47 seconds left gave Whitworth a 61-59 lead. With 24 seconds left Kelsey Krumdieck took a good pass from Washburn and tied the game. On the final possession, Whitworth worked the ball inside to Wegman, whose shot went long. Hendrickson was there for the weakside rebound and uncontested putback to win the game. Whitman was unable to get a shot off before the final buzzer.

Washburn finished with game highs of 20 points and nine rebounds to lead Whitman. Higgins scored 13 points off of the bench, while Laura Vertatschitsch added 11 points and five assists.

Holly Ridings led the Pirates with 15 points and Wegman finished with 14 and six assists. Teresa Zeitler scored 11 points and Amy Ridings finished with 10.

Next Up: Whitworth will host Pacific University on Saturday night in the Fieldhouse. The Boxers are 6-9 overall and 1-5 in the NWC heading into a Friday night game at Whitman. Senior forward DeeDee Arnall leads the team with averages of 18.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, which make her an All-American candidate. Last season Whitworth swept Pacific, winning 63-38 in Spokane and 60-50 in Forest Grove, Oregon. Whitworth has won the last 14 meetings in a row.