SPOKANE, Wash. - Courtney Gaddis came off of the bench to score 18 points to lead Whitworth University to an 82-71 win over visiting Willamette University in a Northwest Conference women's basketball game on Saturday night at the Whitworth Fieldhouse.

Courtney Gaddis had a career-high 18 points

Gaddis (Fr., F, Honolulu, Hawaii), whose point total was a career high, helped key a Pirate offense that shot 58% from the floor (29-50) in the game and saw five players reach double figures in scoring. Cassie Snyder (Sr., G, Spokane, Wash.) added 14 points, while Alida Bower (Jr., F, Onalaska, Wash.) and Natalie Orrell (So., F, Wenatchee, Wash.) finished with 12 each. Tiffany Corigliano (Jr., P, Nine Mile Falls, Wash.) totaled 11 points. Bower led the Bucs with seven rebounds.

Molly Fillion scored a game-high 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Bearcats, while Laura Payne added 15 points. Alex Zennan came off the bench for nine points on three three-pointers.

Whitworth (11-8 overall, 6-4 NWC) never trailed in the game and opened up three sizeable first half leads, but watched Willamette (4-15, 2-8) pull close twice. A three-pointer by Gaddis put the Pirates up 25-14, but the Bearcats rallied to within 25-20 on a three by Fillion. Snyder's three point shot gave Whitworth a 33-24 advantage, but Willamette pulled within 40-39 on a jumper by Erin Barclay. The Bucs then finished the half on a 10-1 run to take a 50-40 halftime lead.

Vic Swigert's basket with 16:31 to play pulled Willamette within 52-47, but Whitworth got two baskets from Bower during a 6-0 spurt that put the Bucs back up 58-47. Whitworth would lead by double digits most of the rest of the way.

Willamette shot 67% (16-24) in the first half, but fell off to 40% (12-30) in the second period. The Bearcats outrebounded the Pirates 28-25, but had 18 turnovers to 13 for Whitworth.

The Pirates remain tied with Whitman and Lewis & Clark for third place in the NWC standings. The top three teams make the conference tournament. Whitworth will play at L&C next Friday. Willamette will travel to George Fox next Friday.