In Friday night’s game against the Pacific University Boxers, the Whitman women’s basketball team did what they’ve been doing all season long; shot consistently, defended aggressively, rebounded well and won. With their 65-55 victory over the Boxers, the Missionaries move to 18-0 on the season and 9-0 in Northwest Conference play.
The Missionaries looked composed and in control from the start, distributing the ball around the key with pace and precision, something that would pay off in the second half, evidenced by fatigued defending from the Boxers, allowing for numerous open looks for the Missionaries.
Junior point guard Heather Johns led the Missionaries scoring efforts, recording 25 points, two off of her season high, 17 of which she scored by halftime. Johns put on a show for the fans with numerous athletic drives to the hoop and clinical precision, shooting just under 50 percent on the night.
Senior post Meghan White tallied the second most points for the Missionaries with 12 and led the team in rebounding with 11 boards. The double-double capped a strong night for White, who made plays all over the court. She also had three defensive steals for the Missionaries.
Junior forward Hailey Ann Maeda had a big game off the bench with 8 points and 9 rebounds, both third-best on the night for the Missionaries. Maeda’s contributions were more than just the statistics; with noticeable hustle and stout defense she helped secure the win for the Missionaries late in the game.
