PARKLAND - Melissa Pixler scored 14 points to lead the Pacific Lutheran Lutes to a 67-56 win over visiting non-conference foe Chaminade University in PLU's women's basketball opener in Olson Auditorium on Wednesday night.

The Lutes shot 48 percent from the field and forced 25 turnovers by the Silverswords, who saw their record fall to 0-2.

The teams traded the lead through the first 17 minutes of the contest, but once the Lutes took a 23-22 advantage on Samantha Potter's layup with 2:48 left in the first half, they were never headed. PLU closed the half with a 9-0 run, including four points by Pixler, to take a 30-22 lead into the halftime break.

Pacific Lutheran opened up its first double-figure lead of the night at 34-24 on Pixler's layup just one minute into the second half. Kayci Will replied with a jumper for Chaminade, but the visitors got no closer than that the rest of the way.  PLU led by as many as 14 points before settling for the 11-point victory.

Shelly Kilcup scored 11 points off of the bench and Jordan Westering chipped in 10 points. Pixler led the Lutes with six rebounds and Mandy Wall had five assists and three steals. Potter had eight points, three assists and three steals for the Lutes.

Kristen Canencia tied Pixler for game-high scoring honors with 15 points, and she was joined in double figures by Will with 14 and Jamie Higa with 11. Markeshia Manning led all players with 12 rebounds, six on each end of the floor.

- PLU -