PORTLAND - Pacific Lutheran saw its modest three-game Northwest Conference women's basketball streak come to an abrupt end on Friday night as No. 8-ranked Lewis & Clark rolled to a 68-37 victory in Pamplin Sports Center.

With the defeat, Pacific Lutheran falls to 6-8 overall and 3-4 in the conference. Lewis & Clark is now 16-1 overall and 7-1 in the NWC.

PLU took a 3-1 lead on Megan Abdo's three-point basket 43 seconds into the game, but when Tayler Wang responded with a trey on the other end at the 18:26 mark, the Pioneers took a 4-3 lead and were never headed.

With the Lutes shooting just 19 percent (6-for-31) in the opening half, the Pioneers quickly added to their advantage. Kaitlin Mathewson drained a three to make it 31-11 with 3:14 left in the half, and eventually the hosts would lead 39-15 at the intermission. Lewis & Clark's largest lead came at 65-25 with 5:47 remaining.

Samantha Potter scored 12 points and both Sarah Barnes and Abdo had seven points and six rebounds for the Lutes. PLU shot just 25 percent (15-for-59) overall, 19 percent (3-for-16) from three-point range, and 33 percent (4-for-12) at the foul line.

Sara Villanueva tallied 16 points and reigning Northwest Conference Player of the Year Kristina Williams added 10 for the Pioneers, who also got 10 rebounds from Wang. L&C shot 41 percent overall (26-for-63) and also won the rebounding battle, 48-41.

It doesn't get a whole lot easier for the Lutes, who return to conference action at 6 p.m. Saturday when they face defending champion and nationally ranked George Fox in Newberg, Ore.

- PLU -