FOREST GROVE, Ore. — It was a tall order to begin with for the Pacific women's basketball team, taking on Carroll College on Sunday afternoon at the Stoller Center. As could be predicted, the Fighting Saints prevailed, 69-57.

With four players over six feet tall on the Carroll roster and an unblemished record, the Boxers had their hands full and then some. Nonetheless, despite trailing by as many 19 points in the fourth quarter, the hosts rallied to within nine points in the final minutes before succumbing to the final 11-point margin.

The Fighting Saints, ranked No. 24 in the NAIA Division I pre-season poll, improved to 8-0 on the season. Included in that impressive start are wins over perennial NAIA power Westmont and NCAA Division II Concordia.

Pacific fell to 2-1 with the loss.

Junior guard Jillian Ross had a career-high 17 points, which included five-of-seven marksmanship from beyond the arch. 15 of her points and all five of her treys came in the second half. Sarah Curl and Kyla Siri both had 10 points for Pacific, who had to work hard for every shot against the much taller Fighting Saints.

Charli Elliott led PU with eight rebounds and Curl added six assists.

The Boxers played Carroll tough from the beginning, behind only 12-10 at the end of the first quarter. Pacific also only trailed 16-14 partway through the second period before Carroll went on a 14-2 run and from there the Boxers would get no closer the the nine points they climbed to last in the fourth quarter.

Cassidy Hashley had a double-double for Carroll wih 13 points and 15 rebounds. Point guard Katie Estey added 15 points. The Fighting Saints out-rebounded the Boxers 45-24.

Next action for Pacific will be one week from today (Sunday, Nov. 29) when they host Warner Pacific at the Stoller Center. Start time will be 5 p.m.