Box Score

By Ben Zimmerman

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Another Meghan White double-double? Check.

A feature-length documentary on lane penetration starring Heather Johns? Check.

Decisive advantages in offensive- and total rebounding? Check.

Still undefeated? Mmm-hmm.

The third-ranked Whitman women weren't firing on all cylinders in a 65-55 victory over Pacific on Friday in Northwest Conference basketball, but showed enough moxie to improve to 18-0.

"Our offense was out of synch," Missionaries head coach Michelle Ferenz said. "We weren't running our stuff. We just weren't playing with continuity. We were taking a lot of anxious shots instead of good ones."

It was a winner's lament, complete with a promise to "play better tomorrow" in reference to Saturday's home showdown with Willamette. One reason that Whitman (18-0, 9-0 in conference) has 18 victories is because it can lead wire-to-wire and win with relative comfort even on off nights. The Missionaries rarely led by fewer than seven points on Friday despite shooting just 34.8 percent (24 of 69) from the floor, missing 10 of 12 3-pointers and some unusual quiet performances from essential scorers.

How?

Start with Johns, the Missionaries' junior point guard and catalyst. She had 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists in 33 minutes.

"Heather got into their defense and took good shots," said Ferenz. "They definitely didn't stop her. She got great looks."

Then there was White: she had 12 points, mostly on put-backs, and snagged 11 rebounds, including a game-high five on the offensive window.
"Great effort," Ferenz said.

Whitman held advantages in rebounding (49-43), offensive rebounding (19-12) and steals (11-6). It forced 16 turnovers while committing just 11. It got a nice bench lift from Hailey Ann Maeda, who had eight points and nine boards, and a solid contribution from Sarah Anderegg (seven points, nine rebounds, eight defensive rebounds).

"Pacific is a better team than their record shows. They have some kids who are starting to come back from injuries," Ferenz said. "We just had one of those nights."

Whitman completed a sweep of its season series with Pacific, doubling down on a 78-58 victory Jan. 4 in Forest Grove, Ore.

It welcomes Willamette to Sherwood Center at 6 p.m. Saturday.