Complete Box Score and Play by Play

WALLA WALLA , Wash. -- Whitman jumped out to an early lead and cold-shooting Whitworth could never recover as the Missionaries handed the Pirates a 65-42 loss in a Northwest Conference women's basketball game on Tuesday night at Whitman's Sherwood Center.

The Pirates (13-10 overall, 7-8 NWC) dropped their fourth straight game and have one contest left in the 2005-06 season on Saturday afternoon at Pacific (4:00 pm tip). Whitman (13-10, 9-6) remained alive for the final NWC playoff berth.

The Missionaries jumped to an early 12-3 lead just over five minutes into the game as the Pirates missed their first six shots from the field. Whitman stretched the advantage to as many as 16 points before going to the break with a 33-18 lead.

Early in the second half Whitman quickly upped the lead to 42-20 after a pair of free throws by Lizzy Washburn. The Missionaries led by as many as 24 points before Whitworth got to within 15 points (52-37) on a three pointer by Holly Ridings with 7:22 to play. But Whitman regrouped and closed the game on a 13-5 run to win by 23.

Whitworth shot only 32.5% (13/40) from the field and committed 21 turnovers. Holly Ridings led the Bucs with 11 points and seven rebounds. Kelli Highland and Danielle Wegman each scored eight points.

Washburn finished with a game-high 23 points for Whitman and added nine rebounds. The Missionaries finished with a 48% (29/60) shooting percentage and only had 11 turnovers.

Whitman and Whitworth split the season series.