Division I Redhawks Handle Lutes

SEATTLE - Pacific Lutheran women's basketball head coach Kelly Robinson knew her team would struggle with a pre-conference schedule that included such teams as NCAA Division I Seattle University and Division II Seattle Pacific.

That was the case on Tuesday night in Connolly Center as Seattle University rolled out to a 22-point halftime lead and cruised in from there, defeating Pacific Lutheran, 75-37, in a non-conference women's basketball game.

The host Redhawks (2-7) had little trouble with the NCAA Division III Lutes (1-3), shooting 48 percent from the field while limiting the visitors to 23 percent shooting for the game. Seattle scored 32 of its points in the paint and also converted 24 PLU turnovers into 23 points.

Jordan Westering led the Lutes with 10 points on 4-for-11 shooting from the field, followed by Sara Backstrom with nine points and Shelly Kilcup with eight. Mackenzie Bieker grabbed six rebounds and Tracy Goehri had five steals to lead the Lutes in those categories.

Ashley Brown scored 16 points for the Redhawks, who shot a blistering 47 percent (9-for-19) from three-point range. Seattle U. also enjoyed a 44-36 rebounding advantage.

Pacific Lutheran returns to action this weekend with a pair of games in Orange, Calif. PLU plays against Cal Lutheran on Friday and follows that up the next day with a contest against Chapman.

- PLU -