SPOKANE, Wash. – KC McConnell's desperation three-pointer as time expired was no good, allowing visiting Whitman to escape with a 55-52 Northwest Conference women's basketball victory over Whitworth on Tuesday night in the Whitworth Fieldhouse.

The Missionaries improved to 10-1 overall and 3-0 in the NWC while the Pirates dropped to 7-5, 2-1.

Neither team led by more than six points in the tightly contested game that was dominated by the defenses.  Whitman shot 31.3% from the floor, including 25% (3-12) from three-point range.  The Pirates made 30% from the field, 15% (3-20) from beyond the arc.

Whitworth led throughout the first half, taking a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.  Whitman had several chances to take its first lead of the game in the second quarter after pulling within one point, but the Missionaries never did get over the top.  The Pirates led 20-19 at halftime. 

Whitman took its first lead quickly in the third quarter and stretched the advantage to 28-22 on a basket by Hailey Ann Maeda.  But Whitworth answered with a 9-2 run to take a 31-30 lead on a basket by Jessica Thoens.  The Bucs eventually led 39-35 at the end of the third.

Whitworth still led 41-38 early in the fourth when Whitman's Alysse Ketner tied the game with a three-pointer, sparking an 11-2 run that gave the visitors a 49-43 lead with 2:27 to go.  The Pirates got back within 49-47 after a McConnell three-pointer, but could get no closer.

McConnell and Faith Emerson led Whitworth in scoring with 14 points apiece.  No other Pirate reached double figures.  McConnell had eight rebounds and Emerson had seven boards.

Ketner led Whitman with 13 points, while Emily Rommel added a dozen.  Maeda finished with 10 points and a team-high eight boards.

Whitworth will return to action on Friday night at Pacific (Ore.).