WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Pacific women's basketball earned a victory against conference foe Whitman on Friday evening with a 58-53 win. This is the first Boxer victory in Walla Walla since February 5
th, 2016.
The Boxers were able to overcome a slow start by finishing the game shooting 4-6 from deep in the final quarter. Pacific found their advantage in the contest converting 23 free throws on the night.
Top Performers
- Brilie Kovaloff led the way for the Boxers scoring 28 points including going 4-6 from long range.
- Shaade Williams was the driving force for the Boxers staying in the game scoring 7 of her 11 points in the first quarter.
- Rilee Price was a quiet leader on the floor leading the team with 6 rebounds and dishing out a team high 3 assists.
How It Happened
The Boxers started the contest over the first six minutes without making a shot from the floor. Williams was able to end the scoring drought with three free throws before she made the first Boxer basket on the ensuing position with layup down the left side of the lane. At the quarter break, the hosts Blues held a 14-10 lead, with Williams responsible for seven of the Boxers 10 points.
Pacific did not start the second quarter as they did in the first by opening the first 3 minutes with four straight unanswered points. This early scoring run however did not ignite the Boxers offense, as they were held to a season low 20 points at the break. Both teams struggled in the first half from downtown with the Boxers going 0-9 while the host Blues were 1-9 from range.
Kovaloff was able to end the scoring drought from deep midway through the third quarter when she converted a shot from straightaway. Pacific was able to hang in the game through the first two and a half quarters by getting to the free throw line 15 times and converting 12 of those attempts including a perfect 6-6 in the third quarter. The Blues held a 39-35 lead at the conclusion of the third quarter.
Pacific was not going to let their slow start dictate the concluding quarter. They opened the first four minutes of the fourth on a 10-2 run including threes from both Kovaloff and
Sydney Gray. Kovaloff was instrumental for the Boxers in the fourth quarter making three shots from deep while also being responsible for 14 of the team's 22 fourth quarter points.
Up Next
Pacific concludes the Eastern Washington trip tomorrow with a 4 P.M. matchup at Whitworth.
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