SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Freshman forward Natalie Orrell poured in 28 points to lead Whitworth to an easy 76-27 win over La Sierra on Saturday night at the UC Santa Cruz Tip Off Tournament, giving the Pirates a 2-0 start to the 2006-07 season.

Natalie Orrell

Orrell made 8 of 14 shots, including 5 of 7 three point attempts, and dropped all seven of her free throw attempts. She also added seven rebounds for the Bucs.

Alida Bower scored 16 points as the only other Pirate player in double figures. Twelve players got into the game for Whitworth and 11 of them scored at least a point.

For the second night in a row Whitworth's defense was tough on the opponent. La Sierra, an NAIA school in transition to Division III, made only 20.4% of its shots from the field and went 0 of 15 from three point range. The Pirates forced 23 turnovers and outrebounded La Sierra 45-32.

Whitworth returns to Spokane for a home opener against Montana Tech on Monday night at 5:00 pm. The Orediggers come into the game with a 4-1 record.