Puget Sound women knock off Whitworth, gain weekend sweep

Want to gain a whole lot of ground on the entire Northwest Conference in basketball?

Earn a sweep at Whitworth and Whitman in what is arguably the most strenuous road trip in conference play.

After a convincing 87-69 victory Saturday night over the Pirates at Whitworth Fieldhouse in Spokane, the Loggers swept those schools on the road for the first time in coach Loree Payne’s six seasons.

“We really put some stuff together,” Payne said.

Payne was referring to the two games put forth by freshmen Samone Jackson (17 points, 7-of-10 free throws) and Elizabeth Prewitt (17 of 19 points in the first half).

“They are on a huge growth right now, and getting better every game,” Payne said. “They are going to be ones to watch for the future.”

Emily Sheldon had a team-high 24 point for UPS.

After Whitworth cut it to 69-62 with 4:49 to go, Sheldon and Jackson hit back-to-back 3-pointers for UPS (11-6, 6-2 NWC) to trigger an 18-3 run.

At Whitman 76, Pacific Lutheran 53: A 16-2 Missionaries’ run in the third quarter broke open the game, and sent the Lutes (6-11, 2-6 NWC) to their fifth loss in six games in Walla Walla.

Ionna Price led the Lutes with 11 points. Madison Green-Hayward added 10.

Alysse Ketner led all scorers with 17 points for Whitman.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Pacific Lutheran 79, at Whitman 74: Brandon Lester scored the final six points of the game, including the game-winning 3-pointer from the right corner with 47 seconds to go, and the Lutes upended the 16th-ranked Missionaries (14-3, 6-2 NWC) in Walla Walla.

Left alone on an inbounds pass, Lester drilled the 3-pointer to give the Lutes (11-6, 4-4) a 76-74 lead.

After Christian McDonald missed a runner in the lane on Whitman’s end, Lester was fouled, and made both free throws for a 78-74 advantage. He later added one more free throw.

Lester led all scorers with 27 points. Dylan Foreman added 17, and Jared Christy chipped in with 14.

At Whitworth 87, Puget Sound 68: The No. 1 Pirates (17-0, 8-0) had three 20-point scorers, led by George Valle’s 23, in staying undefeated with a win at Whitworth Fieldhouse in Spokane.

Twelve of the Loggers’ 22 made field goals were 3-pointers.

Kohl Meyer led all scorers with 24 points for UPS (9-8, 4-4).

This story was originally published January 23, 2016 at 9:07 PM with the headline "Puget Sound women knock off Whitworth, gain weekend sweep."