WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Led by Heather Johns' game-high 31 points and three others in double-figures, Whitman College stretched its win streak to five with a 68-63 Northwest Conference victory Friday evening over visiting Pacific (Ore.) University. The Missionaries' Hailey Ann Maeda notched a double-double, 10 points and 12 rebounds, during the victory at the Sherwood Athletics Center.

Whitman (15-7, 10-3 NWC) rallied late in the opening half to tie the Boxers (9-13, 5-8), 29-29, as the teams broke for halftime.

Trailing since the 8:35 mark the M's chipped away at what had grown to a six-point Pacific advantage. In the final 43 seconds Maeda dropped in a layup then pulled down one of her game-high dozen rebounds at the other end to spring a fast break which Johns finished up by popping a short jumper to knot things up before the buzzer.

The Boxers scored first to open the second half but Whitman was able to maintain its edge for the next nine minutes. Pacific clawed back until the teams traded the lead twice over a span of 43 seconds nearing the midpoint of the half. A Chelsi Brewer 3-pointer provided the final lead change of the night as the M's regained the lead, 45-43, with 11:51 to play.

The Whitman advantage grew to as many as eight before it fought back Pacific's final push.

Consecutive steals, including a coast-to-coast steal and layup by Casey Poe, looked as if it would have secured the win but the Boxers inched within three, on a pair of Sarah Curl free throws, with 10 ticks left on the clock. A dangerous pass on Whitman's ensuing possession ended up in the Boxers' hands but Olivia Cook's tying trey attempt was off the mark and rebounded by Johns who was quickly fouled with 1.9 seconds on the clock. She sank both of her shots from the foul line to ice the win and complete the season sweep of the Boxers.

Along with Johns' and Maeda's double-figure scoring the M's also receive 12 points from Brewer and 10 from Emily Rommel who also ripped down eight rebounds. Pacific was led by Cook who notched a double-double in the loss, scoring 18 and coming down with 10 boards.

Weekend action continues Saturday afternoon for Whitman which welcomes third-ranked George Fox University to Sherwood for a 4 p.m. tip on Senior Night.