FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 6, 2026
Tacoma, Wash.| The Warner Pacific University women's basketball team opened regular-season play Friday evening against NCAA Division III opponent Pacific Lutheran University at Olson Auditorium. Despite building a 15-point first-half advantage, the Knights fell to the Lutes 80-72 following a second-half comeback by the home team.
ShielTeal Watah led Warner Pacific with an impressive double-double, recording 24 points and 10 rebounds, while
Riley Layton added a double-double of her own with 16 points and a team-high 11 rebounds.
Warner Pacific came out firing in the opening quarter, establishing an early advantage behind strong offensive production from Watah, Layton, and
Alex Saunders. The Knights shot 47.6 percent from the field in the opening period, using their success in the paint and on the offensive glass to take a 26-16 lead into the second quarter.
The Knights continued to control the tempo in the second period, with KJ Cluster providing a spark from the perimeter and Layton continuing to establish herself inside. Warner Pacific stretched its lead to as many as 15 points and entered halftime with a commanding 43-30 advantage.
Pacific Lutheran responded after the break, using a strong third quarter to erase Warner Pacific's lead. The Lutes outscored the Knights 27-13 in the period, shooting 62.5 percent from the field to take a narrow 57-56 lead into the final quarter.
Warner Pacific continued battling in the fourth, with Watah knocking down an early three-pointer to put the Knights back in front. The teams exchanged leads in the opening minutes before Pacific Lutheran began pulling away midway through the period. Despite Warner Pacific's efforts to close the gap, the Lutes maintained their advantage down the stretch to secure the 80-72 victory.
Watah finished the evening shooting 8-of-17 from the field and 7-of-9 from the free-throw line, adding three assists and a steal to her 24-point, 10-rebound performance. Layton provided a strong presence in the paint, collecting 16 points and 11 rebounds, including six offensive boards. Cluster contributed nine points, three assists, and a steal, while
Lauren Katyryniuk finished with seven points.
Off the bench, Saunders delivered a productive performance with seven points and nine rebounds, including seven offensive rebounds.
Tali Sanders added seven points and two steals, while
Bryten Gumke helped facilitate the offense with a team-high five assists.
As a team, Warner Pacific shot 39.1 percent from the field, finishing with 72 points, 43 rebounds, 17 assists, and eight steals. The Knights held a 43-35 rebounding advantage, including an impressive 21 offensive rebounds, and outscored Pacific Lutheran 10-4 in fast-break points.
Pacific Lutheran was led by Kylie Griffin, who recorded a game-high 31 points and 11 rebounds. Brooke Chrisholm added 13 points and eight rebounds, while Ghadir Ramadan contributed 10 points off the bench. The Lutes finished the contest shooting 50.8 percent from the field, including a strong second-half performance that ultimately proved to be the difference.
Although the Knights were unable to hold onto their early advantage, Warner Pacific showed encouraging signs in its regular-season opener, particularly with its offensive rebounding, interior scoring, and first-half execution. The Knights will look to build on those positives as they continue their early-season schedule.
Next Up
The Knights will turn around quickly and play their second game of the season on Sunday against Linfield University at 5pm in McMinnville, Oregon.
