Boxers Open Conference Play With Loss To Pirates
Box Score
FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Junior forward
Olivia Cook (Jr., Beaverton, Ore.) recorded 15 points, but her performance wasn't enough to boost the Pacific women's basketball team past a tough Whitworth squad, losing their Northwest Conference opener 91-63 on Friday night at the Stoller Center.
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Cook led the team with her 15 points and four rebounds. She was 3 of 10 from the field and 9 of 10 from the free throw line. Right behind was
Olivia Mayorga-Overtone (Jr., Oakland, Calif.) with 14 points and five rebounds. Mayorga-Overtone was 4 of 7 from the field, 1 of 2 from three-point range and perfect, in five attempts, from the free throw line.
Kati Sheldon (Sr., Paso Robles, Calif.) led the team with six rebounds and adding four points.
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With a close start to begin the game, both teams tied the game four times in the first six minutes of play. The Boxers couldn't get ahead of the Pirates as the Pirates went on a 17-2 run to take a 15-point lead with 8:25 left in the first half. The Boxers came within 14 points at the 3:29 mark after a foul by Whitworth and two made free throws from Cook. Whitworth took the rest of the game in their hands as they led 26-42 at halftime.
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In the second half, the Boxers were still trying to get back in the game, but couldn't get the consistent offense going as they turned the ball over 23 times on the game. Whitworth's Kayla Johnson scored a career-high 27 points and the Boxers had a hard time stopping her from the field, making 9 of 19.
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The Boxers shot 36.5 percent from the field, 31.3 percent from beyond the arc and 76.9 percent from the free throw line. The Boxers picked up only five steals and 11 assists and were outrebounded by the Pirates 46-32. Whitworth took advantage of the Boxers' turnovers, scoring 28 points and 18 points off second chances.
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With the loss, the Boxers drop to 4-5 on the season and 0-1 in conference play. Whitworth improves to 7-3 on the season and 1-0 in NWC action. Next up, the Boxers will play host to Whitman on Saturday at the Stoller Center with tip off at 4 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at goboxers.com.
