The adage that basketball is a game of runs proved to be true as Whitworth posted a 69-53 win over the Pacific University women's basketball team on Saturday afternoon.

The Boxers (2-4, 0-2 NWC) shot 53.8% in the opening quarter en route to a 19-7 lead in the first 10 minutes. For the remainder of the game, Pacific was held to a 26% effort for the final 30 minutes as the Pirates came back for the win.

The Pirates (5-1, 2-0 NWC) overcame a 20% shooting effort in the first 10 minutes and outscored the Boxers by a 23-7 margin in the final quarter for the win.

Pacific sophomore Courtney Carolan came back with her fifth-straight game in double figures to lead the Boxers, scoring a team-high 22 points. Carolan also grabbed nine rebounds; plus she was joined in double digits by Liana Tanaka, who added 14 points.

Whitworth got a bulk of its scoring from four players, who were in double figures. Jordan Smith led the Pirates with 15, she was joined in double figures by Megan Dorney, who added 14. Plus, Madison Moffat had a double double with 10 points and 10 rebounds and teammate Camy Aguindaldo nearly had a double double with 10 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

Tanaka cut the Pirates lead to 55-51 with 6:26 left in the contest. Then, Whitworth ended the game on a 14-2 run to seal the victory. Whitworth shot 47.1% in the final 10 minutes and closed out the win, making 6 of 8 free throws.

With final exams awaiting the student-athletes, the Boxers will wrap up the week with a pair of non-conference games. First, Pacific will face Northwest University on Friday, Dec.7 at 7 p.m., followed by a 5:30 p.m. matchup against Corban at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.