WALLA WALLA , Wash. – The defensive pressure of the nation's second-ranked team proved to be too much for Whitman College Saturday night. Ideally Whitman would have sent its seniors off with a final home win over George Fox University, but every time the Missionaries battled back from a deficit Fox had strung together another run eventually leading to a 68-61 win.
 
Senior, Hailey McDonald said the team still has plenty to hold their heads up about even with the loss. "It was a fun night, it was a super intense game and I feel like our team was positive and supportive, both on the court and on the bench. We really lifted each other up." When asked about the emotions of Senior Night McDonald responded, "We didn't get the outcome we wanted, but it was a memorable last game."
 
Casey Poe led all Whitman players with 19 points and four rebounds along with three assists. Alysse Ketner added 10 points and three rebounds. In their final game at the Sherwood Center Hailey Ann Maeda and Hailey McDonald combined for 17 points with Maeda collecting 11 rebounds throughout the contest.
 
"We battled foul trouble all night," Head coach Michelle Ferenz said. "We missed some free throws we needed to make and didn't respond at times. I think our effort was great and we need to continue to build on the last two games."
 
The first quarter was tight throughout with both teams battling for ground. Whitman had the largest lead of the quarter at four, but Fox climbed back into the game and grabbed a 14-13 lead. The quarter ended with the Bruins holding a slight one point lead, but Whitman was definitely within striking distance.
 
George Fox used a strong start to the second quarter to extend the lead to seven, but Emily Rommel connected on two free throws that helped the Whits regain some momentum and Casey Poe basket at 5:50 put the Missionaries back into a one possession game. Foul trouble forced Hailey McDonald to the bench with five minutes to play in the half which spelled trouble for Whitman as Fox's full court pressure became a big factor.
 
The Missionaries faced a seven point deficit entering the half, but showed signs of life late. Casey Poe, led all Whitman scorers with seven points, Alysse Ketner added five and Hailey Ann Maeda was doing work on the glass collecting five rebounds. The struggle came in the turnover category, where the Missionaries gave up 14 to Fox's eight.
 
Three minutes into the third quarter Whitman had an opportunity to pull the game back to a single possession, but a traveling violation prevented a shot and the Bruins capitalized with a basket that pushed the lead back to seven. With three minutes to play in the quarter McDonald buried a three that cut the Bruin lead to 3, but Fox answered with an and-one basket that pushed the deficit back to six.
 
A late quarter spurt from George Fox led to the games largest deficit at 14. The defensive pressure continued to cause issues for the Missionaries who could not find a successful method to crack the pressure. Whitman used its defense to fight back into the game, Maeda hit a turnaround jumper and Ketner's back-to-back free throws narrowed the deficit to single digits.
 
Whitman fought and battled through the entire fourth quarter, but every run they would string together, Fox would answer. The Whits would have loved to send the seniors off with a win, but it just wasn't meant to be on a night that Whitman just didn't have it.
 
Whitman will continue to battle for playoff position as it hits the road next weekend for games against the University of Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran University.