SPOKANE, Wash. -- First-year players Jamie Lyons and Kayla Johnson combined for 29 points to lead Whitworth to a come-from-behind 66-63 win over visiting Whitman on Tuesday night at the Whitworth Fieldhouse.
The Pirates improved to 8-8 overall and 4-3 in the Northwest Conference with a win that could play a role in determining a spot in the four-team NWC tournament. The Missionaries fell to 8-7, 3-4.
It looked a lot like Whitman's night early on as the Missionaries raced to early leads of 8-0 and 12-2. Freshman post Sarah Anderegg had a pair of early baskets for Whitman. But the Pirates fought back, pulling within 12-9 on a three-pointer by Lyons. The Missionaries continued to lead throughout the rest of the first half, keeping Whitworth at by thanks to a 10-11 half from the free throw line.
Unlike the first period, the second half included eight ties and nine lead changes. Whitworth took its first lead of the game (39-38) on Emily Guthrie's driving lay in five minutes into the half. Whitman was back up 46-42 after a basket by Anna Forge, but Whitworth scored five straight to retake the lead. With the game tied 54-54, Mary Madden hit a three-pointer and Kelly Peterson converted a three-point play to give the Missionaries their largest lead (60-54) of the second half. But the Pirates answered with an 8-0 run, capped by a three-pointer from Emily Travis with 3:28 left.
Madden converted her own three-point play to put Whitman back up 63-62 with 3:05 to go, but the Missionaries would not score again. Johnson hit her final basket of the game with 1:18 to go, then after a steal Lyons converted two free throws for the final margin with 50 second left.
Jennifer Keyes had a three-point attempt at the buzzer that came up just short.
Lyons hit her career-high with 15 points, and came away with five steals while guarding Whitman's teller post players. Johnson scored 14 points and led Whitworth with seven rebounds. Guthrie scored all ten of her points in the second period.
Anderegg finished with a game-high 17 points for Whitman and Madden had ten points off of the bench. Peterson led the Missionaries with seven rebounds.
Whitman finished with a 38-26 edge on the boards and thrived at the free throw line, making 17-19 (89.5%). But the Pirates had the stronger shooting night, making 48% (26-54) and forced 23 Missionary turnovers.
Whitworth will host Pacific (Ore.) on Friday night to finish off the first half of the NWC slate. Pacific then travels to play at Whitman on Saturday.