Complete box score

WALLA WALLA, Wash. - Whitworth dropped its final women's basketball road game of the 2008-09 season, losing 81-56 at Whitman on Tuesday night.

Cassie Pilkinton

The Pirates fell to 12-12 overall and 6-9 in the NWC, while the Missionaries strengthened their playoff hopes and improved to 17-7, 9-6.

The game was essentially decided in the first half when Whitman held Whitworth to 25% shooting (7-28) from the floor and outscored the Pirates 42-22. Whitworth only trailed 13-11 when Cassie Pilkinton (Jr., G, Chelan, Wash.) scored nine of the Bucs' first 11 points. But Whitman stretched the lead to 24-14 on a jumper by Michaelle Krall, then continued to extend the advantage. When Jennifer Keyes nailed a three-pointer with 3:04 to go in the half, Whitman had taken its first 20-point lead of the game at 37-17.

Pilkinton led a Pirate burst to start the second half that briefly cut into the Whitman lead. She hit a shot from beyond the arc, then converted a three-point play to get Whitworth within 46-32 with 16:27 to play. But that was as close as the Pirates would get as Whitman steadily stretched the lead back out to the final margin of 25 points.

Pilkinton led all scorers with 22 points for the Pirates. Liz Horiatis (So., P, Woodinville, Wash.) added 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Hilary White led Whitman with 19 points and Keyes added 13 points off of the bench.

Whitworth will conclude the season on Sunday when the Pirates host Lewis & Clark at 1:00 p.m. in the Fieldhouse.