SPOKANE, Wash. - In a classic Northwest Conference game that went down to the wire, the Whitworth Pirates snuck past the Puget Sound Loggers, 47-43, in a NWC women's basketball game on Friday night at Whitworth Fieldhouse in Spokane, Wash.

In the first half, the Loggers jumped out to a quick lead, opening the game on a 12-2 run.  The Loggers kept the lead around double-digits until just under five minutes remaining in the first half.  Whitworth shrunk the Logger lead slightly but Puget Sound took a 23-18 lead into the break.

In the second half, the Pirates tightened the gap early, pulling within two points but the Loggers held firm to keep the lead.  Whitworth eventually fought back, tying the ball game with 4:29 remaining on a three-pointer by Cassie Pilkington, who made a jumper and free throw about 45 seconds later to give the Bucs a three-point lead, 40-37.  Whitworth took advantage of the late push to collect the 47-43 victory.

The Loggers were led by 17 points from Claire Ely (Walnut Creek, Calif./Northgate).  Senior Karen Chase (Yakima, Wash./West Valley) added 10 points and eight rebounds in the loss while Andrea Edwards (Yakima, Wash./West Valley) put up a game-high 10 rebounds.

Whitworth was led by 10 points each from Liz Horiatis  and Kim Bluff.  The Pirates out-rebounded the Loggers, 39-37. 

The Loggers take the court again on Saturday morning when they travel to Walla Walla to take on 23rd-ranked Whitman.  Tip-off with the Missionaries is set for 6:00 p.m.

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