Walla Walla, Wash. – The Pacific women’s basketball team faced a tough game against Whitman, losing 50-45 despite having chances to win. The Boxers struggled with their shooting, which ultimately held them back.
In the first quarter, Pacific made only 2 of their 13 shots, falling behind 11-5. They found some rhythm in the second, leading briefly but went into halftime close at 23-21. However, in the third quarter, they hit another cold spell. It wasn’t until about three minutes remained that they scored their first points of the period, allowing Whitman to build a lead of 29-21.
Senior Shaade Williams helped the team close the gap, making two free throws to bring the score to 40-38 with just over three minutes left. But scoring went stagnant again until sophomore Sydney Esperanza hit a critical 3-pointer with 52 seconds to go. She followed that up with a basket in the paint, narrowing the score to 45-43. Unfortunately, Pacific couldn’t capitalize further, while Whitman sealed the game by hitting 5 of 6 free throws in the closing seconds.
Freshman Karina Franco stood out as the sole Boxer in double figures, scoring 11 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Overall, the team struggled, shooting just 32.7% from the field and 14.3% from beyond the arc. Whitman’s numbers were only slightly better, with 31.6% and 14.3%.
With this loss, Pacific’s record dropped to 0-2 in the Northwest Conference and 5-6 overall. They will look to bounce back against Whitworth on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Recent trends in women’s basketball show how common it is for teams to face shooting slumps. A study noted that nearly 50% of college teams struggle with shooting consistency, impacting game outcomes significantly. Experts suggest focusing on mental preparation and practice routines to improve performance under pressure.
For more updates on Pacific Athletics, visit GoBoxers.com and follow them on social media at @GoBoxers on Instagram and Twitter.
