SPOKANE, Wash. - Alida Bower established new career highs for points, rebounds and three-pointers in a game to lead Whitworth University to an 81-76 overtime win over visiting Whitman College in a Northwest Conference women's basketball game on Tuesday night in the Whitworth Fieldhouse.

Bower had 30 points and 15 rebounds

Bower (Jr., F, Onalaska, Wash.) scored 30 points, while making seven three-point shots, and grabbed 15 rebounds to establish new career highs in all three categories. She helped Whitworth overcome a 13-point first half deficit and then scored five important points in overtime, allowing the Pirates (13-11 overall, 8-7 NWC) to move into a tie for fourth place in the NWC standings with the Missionaries (14-10, 8-7).

Bower dropped a pair of free throws to pull Whitworth within 16-12 midway through the first half. But Whitman went on a 9-0 run, capped by Hilary White's three-point shot, and took 25-12 lead. Molly Schlander (Jr., G, Scottsdale, Ariz.) answered with a three-pointer for Whitworth and the Bucs were eventually able to rally within 35-30 at halftime after Bower hit a shot jump shot just before the horn.

Whitman briefly extended the lead back to 10 points early in the second half when Emily Shubin's basket gave the Missionaries a 44-34 lead. But Whitworth answered with a 12-2 run, including two Bower three-point shots, that tied the game 46-46. The teams then traded leads over the final 13 minutes of regulation until Whitworth's Cassie Snyder (Sr., G, Spokane, Wash.) drove for a short jumper with 12 seconds left that tied the game 68-68. Michelle Krall's baseline jumper just before the buzzer was no good.

Whitman took a quick 71-68 lead in the overtime, all on free throws, but Whitworth scored the next seven points to take a 75-71 lead. After Shubin pulled the Missionaries back within two, Bower converted a three-point play to give the Bucs a 78-73 lead with 1:26 left. Bower's final basket came with 35 seconds left and gave Whitworth an 80-76 lead.

Bower's previous career highs were 28 points at Willamette on January 5th of this season, 13 rebounds at Pacific on February 9th and five three-pointers against Eastern Oregon on December 14th. Leah Pomante (So., G, Colbert, Wash.) came off of the bench for 10 points, while Snyder finished with nine points and six assists.

Bower's big night overshadowed an outstanding performance by Whitman's Jenele Peterson, who had 22 points and four assists. Shubin finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds of her own, while Kelsey Krumdieck added eight points and eight boards.

Whitworth, which managed to sweep the season series against Whitman this season, will conclude its schedule at NWC co-leader George Fox on Friday night. Likewise, the Missionaries finish the year at George Fox on Saturday.