FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 23rd, 2024

Portland, Ore| In their final pre-season game of the season the Warner Pacific women's basketball team pulled off a big overtime upset against Lewis and Clark College with a final score of 77-73. The game stayed back and forth the entire time with the Knights trailing by one point at the half. However, they kept battling and thanks to a free throw by Junior Skylar Groesbeck with eight seconds left, the Knights were able to stay on top.

Team wise, the Knights led almost every category against Lewis and Clark College. They shot 43.8 percent from the field and made 8 threes during the game. The Knights were also 13-23 at the free throw line which gave them just enough to secure the win. Defense was once again a strong suit for the Knights as they had 42 rebounds, eight steals, two blocks and created 14 turnovers. Strong defense has been a key to the Knights hot start to the season.

Individually, senior Amayla Sales put on a show as she scored 32 points with four threes and 12 field goals made. This was Sales' highest scoring game of her career and the highest scoring for the Knights this season. The defensive leader for today's game was Alexa Mee, who had nine rebounds total including three offensive. Mee also had three steals and a block. 

The Knights hope to keep the winning streak alive, as they have the second best start to a season in the last few years. They hope to keep playing well and winning big games like today to give them momentum as the season moves forward into conference play. 

"Overall, the team battled late and had multiple contributors that affected a team win," Head Coach Jimmy Smith said. "When you have a player that stands tall, you make sure to share the love. Amalya stepped up tonight and carried a major role that shaped the ending. We will celebrate her, the team, and keep moving forward into conference play."

Conference play will begin on Tuesday, November 26th when the cross town rivals of Multnomah try to crack the code. This is the Knights first home game of the season and tip is set for 5pm. The Knights will then go back on the road and travel to Salem, Oregon to take on the Warriors of Corban university on Friday, December 6th at 5:30 pm.