By Sara Brooks, Assistant Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6219

SPOKANE, WASH. -- Whitworth University surged out to a 13-0 lead on its way to a 40-point halftime advantage, and the Pirates went on to defeat visiting Willamette University, 90-39, in a Northwest Conference game on Friday, Jan. 29. Whitworth shot 55.2 from the field and held the Bearcats to 22.2% shooting, as the Pirates advanced to 9-9 on the season, 5-4 in the NWC.

The Bearcats fell to 3-15 on the season, 1-8 in the NWC. Willamette was led by Alex Zennan (Jr., G, Sammamish, WA/Eastlake HS), who tallied 15 points to go with three assists and three steals. She hit 5 of 11 field goals including 3 of 7 on 3-point shots.

Whitworth's defense held the rest of Willamette's players to a combined 7 of 43 from the field (16.3%). The Pirates also blocked five shots and forced 23 turnovers.

Meanwhile, the Whitworth offense connected on 32 of 58 shots, including 21 of 36 (58.3%) in the first half, while building a 56-16 lead. The Pirates excelled from 3-point range, hitting 13 of 23 attempts (56.5%) during the game, and sank 13 of 16 free throws (81.3%).

Leah Pomante topped the Pirates with 14 points. Liz Horiatis added 12 points and Heather Burke chipped in 11 points. The Pirate starters did not play more than 20 minutes each during the game.

Whitworth built its 13-0 lead in the first 5:11 of play. The Bearcats were finally able to get on the board when Zennan connected on a 3-point shot with 14:33 remaining in the half. Willamette was never able to recover from Whitworth's hot shooting in the opening minutes of play. The Bearcats trailed 56-16 at halftime.

Willamette travels to Walla Walla, Wash., tomorrow, Jan. 30, to face Whitman College. Game time is set for 6 p.m. (PST).