OLYMPIA, Wash. – Four players scored double-digits as the Evergreen Geoducks picked up their first win of the year with a 66-59 victory over the Pacific Lutheran Lutes in a non-conference women’s basketball game on Friday night at CRC Gymnasium in Olympia, Wash.

The Lutes (0-1) opened up their season with a strong offensive showing early as they led the Geoducks (1-2) by five with 16 minutes to go in the first half.  The Geoducks battled back to tie things at 14-14 with 10:41 on a layup by Natasha Trinidad (Tacoma, Wash./River Ridge, HS/Pierce CC) .  Evergreen continued to push the pace, using a free throw by Sammi Clark (Monroe, Wash./Monroe HS/Edmonds CC) to take a seven point lead, 25-18, with 5:46 to play in the first half.  PLU got back within one but a 6-0 Evergreen run to end the half gave the Geoducks the 34-27 halftime lead.

In the second half, the Geoducks would never trail but PLU didn’t give up, pulling back within two points with 9:32 left to go.  Evergreen pushed the lead to double-digits, 59-49, on a pair of free throws by Jessica Denmon (Oak Harbor, Wash./Oak Harbor HS/Skagit Valley CC) with 2:12 left to go.  The Lutes would get back within three but the Geoducks hit their free throws down the stretch to collect the 66-59 win.

Evergreen was led by 14 points from Clark, who also added five assists in the win.  Denman finished with 13 while Brittany Gray (Bainbridge Island, Wash./Bainbridge HS/Skagit Valley CC) added 12 points and nine rebounds to narrowly miss the double-double.  Sadee Jones (Belfair, Wash./North Mason HS) rounded out the Geoducks in double-digit scoring with 10 points and nine rebounds, also missing the double-double by just one board.

Pacific Lutheran was led by 19 points from Samantha Potter, who also led the Lutes with eight rebounds.  Shelly Kilcup added 17 for PLU, who shot 34.0% from the field, making 18-of-53 attempts.  The Lutes were outrebounded by a total of 45-40.

Evergreen hits the road for the first time this season next Friday when they head down to Oregon to face Linfield.  Tip with the Wildcats is set for 6 p.m. in McMinnville, Ore.

Box Score