Complete Box Score

MONMOUTH, Or.-Stephanie Urrutia scored 18 points and Kerie Hughes had 15 points and eight assists as 20th-ranked Seattle Pacific University edged Western Oregon University 79-73 in a Pacific West Conference women's basketball game Thursday night at the P.E. Building.

The Falcons (8-3, 13-3) led the entire game, but with 1:27 to play, Western Oregon's Heather Laats snagged a rebound and put back a missed shot by Mandi Dinan to cut the score to 75-72. 17 seconds later, a free throw by Gus Balogh stretched the Falcons' lead to four, forcing the Wolves to foul.

SPU added a pair of free-throws with 28 seconds to play, which led to the final margin.

Urrutia (So., Sunnyside, Wa.) scored 11 of her team-high 18 in the first period as the Falcons opened up leads of eight and 10 points, respectively. Seattle Pacific held a 40-36 halftime advantage. Urrutia canned six of 12 shots on the night, including three of four from beyond the arc. The sophomore guard added five rebounds and four steals to her point tally.

Point guard Hughes (So., Mount Vernon, Wa.) assisted on a game high eight plays to go with her 15 points, and stole the ball five times. Teammate Valerie Gustafson (Fr., Black Hills, Wa.) dropped in 13 points and had seven rebounds.

Western Oregon (6-5, 9-7) out rebounded Seattle Pacific 37-36, but the Falcons forced the Wolves into 20 turnovers.

Shannon Copple paced Western Oregon with 22 points. Forward Heather Laats scored 18, and pulled down nine rebounds.

Seattle Pacific continues down the Coast for a Saturday evening game against PacWest member Humboldt State (4-6, 6-8). Tip-off is set for 6:00 and the game will be broadcast on the Humboldt State University website. www.humboldt.edu/`hsujacks/html/sid/listen.htm

SPU 79, WOU 73.

SPU:
Holme 2, Balogh 13, Guppy 4, Hughes 15, Urrutia 18, Beard, Daniel, Prescott 8, Lukkes 6, Gustafson 13.

WOU:
Ottmar 2, Laats 18, Dinan 14, Gregory 13, Copple 22, Brungardt, Anderson 4, Calderon.