The Whitman College women’s basketball team survived a hotly contested game against the Whitworth Pirates, winning 60-57 on Tuesday, Jan. 21 in Sherwood Center.

The Pirates surged to an 11-2 lead at the start of the game, encouraged by the enthusiasm of a large traveling crowd and their full-court press. This lead forced the Missionaries into several turnovers and hurried shots. Whitman, ranked third in the nation by the website D3Hoops.com, settled down quickly and used a full-court press of its own to make a 9-0 run and take the lead at 13-11. The Missionaries held the lead for the rest of the first half and went into the break with a 30-27 lead.

Whitworth immediately took a 31-30 lead to start the second half, but Whitman stayed within striking distance throughout the game thanks to the driving efforts of first-year guard Alysse Ketner and junior guard Heather Johns. Ketner and Johns scored a combined total of 20 points in the second half, helping the Missionaries trade leads with the Pirates several times.

The Missionaries were behind when the final minute of the game began, but Ketner made a free throw to take a 58-57 lead. Whitman got key defensive stops in the final minute thanks to a block from senior post Meghan White and a Ketner steal. Senior post Sarah Anderegg, who finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds, made the final two free throws and the Missionaries won 62-57. Whitworth sophomore guard KC McConnell led the Pirates with 18 points and seven rebounds.

The Whitman Missionaries now have a 7-0 record in Northwest Conference play and a 16-0 record overall. Their next game is at home against Lewis & Clark College on Friday, Jan. 24. at 6 p.m.