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REDLANDS, Calif. - The final game of a long season-opening road trip finally brought out the fatigue in Whitworth. The visiting Pirates shot a season low percentage from the floor in a 68-62 loss at Redlands in a non-conference women’s basketball game on Saturday afternoon.

Leah Pomante

Leah Pomante poured in a career-high 23 points for Whitworth (3-3), but it was not enough to overcome 29.7% shooting (22/74) shooting by the Pirates. Pomante was 4 of 8 from three point range, and Cassie Pilkinton was three of six from beyond the arc as part of her 13 points. But the rest of the team was 0-12 from three point range. Tiffany Corigliano grabbed nine rebounds while Pilkinton added eight boards for the Pirates.

Redlands came out of the gates fast, grabbing a 15-7 lead five minutes into the game and extending the advantage to 21-9 with just over 12 minutes to play in the half. But the Pirates fought back late in the period. Trailing 28-17 with 4:40 to go, Whitworth went on an 11-0 run to tie it 28-28. Both Pomante and Pilkinton had three-pointers during that stretch. Redlands added a final basket with 11 seconds left to go into the locker rooms with a 30-28 halftime lead.

Early on in the second half the teams traded baskets and there were four ties. Another three by Pilkinton gave Whitworth a 40-37 lead, the largest Pirate lead of the game. Redlands answered with a 9-2 spurt to retake the lead and the Bulldogs never trailed again.

The key minutes of the game occurred with Redlands leading 51-49 with 6:42 to play. The Bulldogs took advantage of a cold stretch when Whitworth missed eight straight shots and Redlands outscored the Bucs 11-0 for a 62-49 lead with 2:55 to play. Whitworth battled back one final time and Natalie Orrell’s basket with 19 seconds left pulled the Pirates within 66-62. But the Bulldogs made two free throws to preserve the win.

The Pirates will finally return home following a 10-day, season-opening road trip that included three games in Hawaii and three in Southern California. This coming weekend Whitworth will host the NBC Camps Whit Classic, including co-host Whitman, nationally-ranked Washington Univ. (Mo.) and California Lutheran.