Kelsey Bumgarner, Whitworth Sports Information Intern

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TACOMA, Wash. - Whitworth women’s basketball saw their chances for Northwest Conference post-season play come to an end with a Saturday night loss at Pacific Lutheran 71-58.

Cassie Pilkinton

Whitworth (12-11 overall, 6-8 NWC) shot 32.1% (18-56) from the field. Cassie Pilkinton (Jr., F, Chelan, Wash.) led both teams in scoring with 25 points and five rebounds. Liz Horiatis (Jr., C, Woodinville, Wash.) scored 16 points and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.

Jen Sorensen led PLU (13-10, 7-7) with 14 points and eight rebounds. Emily Voorhies added 13 points, and Nikki Scott scored 11 points and had six boards for the Lutes. PLU shot 46% (29-63) from the field.

The Pirates were up 7-4 on a three-pointer by Leah Pomante (Jr., G, Colbert, Wash.), but PLU used a 16-3 run to go up 20-10 with 9:13 in the half, led by the outside shooting of Sorensen and Amy Spieker. Sorensen scored eight of her points and Spieker six of her eight in the first half as the Lutes held their lead 36-27 going into the second half.

Natalie Orrell (Jr., F, Wenatchee, Wash.) opened the next half with a three, which spurred on a 13-2 run for the Pirates, including two more Pilkinton threes, as Whitworth tied the game 40-40 at the 16:49 mark. Whitworth kept the score close and another three by Pilkinton and a Horiatis layup again tied the score at 52-52 with 9:37 to play. PLU put together a 12-1 run to go up 64-53 with five minutes left.

Whitworth will next travel to Whitman on Tuesday night to play at 6 pm. Pacific Lutheran will continue to look for a berth in the NWC tournament against Linfield on Friday night.