SEATTLE—Pulling to within a single possession after falling behind by double digits, Western Oregon University fell to Seattle Pacific, 73-68, in GNAC women's basketball action on Saturday night. 
 
Western Oregon (2-4, 1-1 GNAC) was held to a single basket through the first five minutes of play to create the early hole. Holding WOU to 38.5 percent in the first half, Seattle Pacific (3-4, 2-0 GNAC) extended its advantage by as many as 12 points late in the second quarter before heading to the break with a 28-21 edge.

Ali Nelke and Keyonna Jones scored 17 of the team's 21 first-half points for Western Oregon.
 
Using an eight-point run early in the third, the Wolves cut the deficit to three points (52-49) following back-to-back buckets by Nelke and Rachel Rogers. Keeping pace moving to the fourth, a Tresai McCarver layup made it a one-point game at the 5:52 mark.
 
The Falcons, however, countered with six straight points wn to push the lead back to seven at 58-51.
 
With the lead back to double digits (65-55) with 1:14 to play, WOU used 3-pointers by Jones and Teresa Acock for a final chance at a comeback. The two teams traded free throws over the final 12 seconds of play with each team going 4-for-4 from the line down the stretch for the final spread. 
 
"Defensively, we were dialed in and I thought we played well enough to get the win," WOU head coach Holli Howard-Carpenter said. "We executed our game plan and held their shooters to only three makes from behind the arc. We have to shoot the ball better from the outside and get to the free throw line more often to get and keep leads."
 
Jones led all scorers with 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting. Nelke posted a 'double-double' for the Wolves with 13 points and 11 rebounds—nine of which occurred on the offensive end. 
 
"Keyonna showed what she's capable of tonight and I'm proud of the leadership and desire she showed on both ends of the floor," Howard-Carpenter said.

DeLonge added nine points and Olivia Denton eight more for the Wolves.
 
"I'm really proud of the grit we showed all night but especially in the fourth," Howard Carpenter said. "We only turned it over three times in the second half against an aggressive SPU defense and that is something we've been focusing on--valuing the ball."

Boosted by an 11-of-12 performance from the free throw line, the Falcons were led by 21 points from Riley Evans. 

WOU will return to action on Dec. 10 to face Northwest Christian University in the team 's first home contest of the season. Opening tip against the Beacons is set for 6 p.m. inside the New P.E. Gymnasium. 
 
"Our young group is already making great strides and I look for them to get better and for us to grow as a team this month before the January-February grind," Howard-Carpenter said.