Laura Vertatschitsch scored 15 first-half points to help Whitman to a 42-24 halftime lead. As a team Whitman shot 55 percent from the floor in the first half and hit eight of nine from the free-throw line. The Missionaries rebounded well and played strong defense, out-rebounded the Pioneers 22 to 10 and holding them to 28 percent shooting.
Whitman continued its dominance on both ends of the floor in the second half, out-rebounding Lewis and Clark 21-15 and shooting 48 percent from the floor.
Four Whitman players scored in double figures for the game. Vertatschitsch scored a game-high 19 points, while Laird finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds to record her first double-double of her young collegiate career. Sophomore guard Lizzy Washburn added 11 points and sophomore guard Megan Higgins added 14 points, six rebounds and six assists.
Lindsay Sweetland also recorded a double-double during the game, scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Lindsay Tarr hit five of six from the floor in ten minutes of play for the Pioneers.
Whitman will travel to Tacoma next weekend to play Puget Sound on Friday evening and Pacific Lutheran on Saturday. Lewis & Clark hosts George Fox and travels to play at Willamette.
Lewis & Clark vs Whitman 01/12/04 6:00pm at Walla Walla, Wash. (Sherwood Center) At Walla Walla, Wash. (Sherwood Center) WHITMAN 76, LEWIS & CLARK 56 LEWIS & CLARK (3-8, 0-2) Tarr, Lindsay 5-6 0-0 10; Sweetland, Lindsay 5-12 0-0 10; Mortimore, Krystle 1-12 6-6 8; Wyatt, Marissa 2-5 1-2 7; Moon, Sarah 2-5 3-5 7; Fox, Cedra 1-10 3-6 5; Hristou, Talia 1-3 1-2 4; Esquivel, Monica 1-1 0-0 3; Centilvre, Carrie 0-4 1-2 1; Washington, Quiana 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 18-59 16-25 56. WHITMAN (7-3, 2-0) Vertatschitsch, L. 8-10 2-4 19; Laird, Sarah 7-19 2-2 18; Higgins, Megan 5-10 4-6 14; Washburn, Lizzy 4-5 3-6 11; Romero, Mandee 2-4 2-2 6; Kirstein, Denise 1-2 0-2 2; Patneaude, Katie 1-2 0-0 2; Morrissey, Shea 1-3 0-0 2; Nicholes, Sarah 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 29-56 15-25 76. Lewis & Clark................. 24 32 - 56 Whitman....................... 42 34 - 76 3-point goals-Lewis & Clark 4-15 (Wyatt, Marissa 2-5; Esquivel, Monica 1-1; Hristou, Talia 1-3; Mortimore, Krystle 0-4; Sweetland, Lindsay 0-2), Whitman 3-14 (Laird, Sarah 2-7; Vertatschitsch, L. 1-2; Romero, Mandee 0-1; Morrissey, Shea 0-2; Higgins, Megan 0-2). Fouled out--Lewis & Clark-None, Whitman-Washburn, Lizzy. Rebounds-Lewis & Clark 36 (Sweetland, Lindsay 10), Whitman 43 (Laird, Sarah 14). Assists-Lewis & Clark 8 (Mortimore, Krystle 3; Moon, Sarah 3), Whitman 21 (Higgins, Megan 6). Total fouls-Lewis & Clark 23, Whitman 19. A-51