Area women: Pirates defeat Bearcats

Alida Bower scored a career-high 26 points on 9-of-15 shooting to guide Whitworth to an 86-77 Northwest Conference basketball victory over Willamette on Saturday night at Cone Fieldhouse in Salem, Ore.

Bower’s previous career high of 25 came against Willamette last year.

Natalie Orrell added 15 points and seven rebounds, while Cassie Snyder chipped in a career-high 14 points for the Pirates.

Laura Payne tossed in 22 points and Molly Fillion added 21 to lead the Bearcats.

Whitworth improved to 7-4 overall and 2-0 in conference play while Willamette fell to 2-9 and 0-2.

“Sami Field-Polisso scored 21 points and Sacramento State held on to beat Eastern Washington 73-70 in a Big Sky Conference game at the Hornets Nest in Sacramento, Calif.

Sydney Benson led five players in double figures with 18 points for the Eagles. Tatjana Sparavalo tossed in 14 points, Katy Baker had 12 and Amy Bratvold and Nicole Scott added 11 apiece for Eastern Washington.

The Eagles held a 47-33 advantage in rebounds but committed five more turnovers.

Scott led EWU in rebounding with 10.

The Eagles fell to 3-12 on the season and 0-2 in conference play, while the Hornets improved to 3-11 and 1-1.

“Ashlee Michelson scored 16 points, Kellee Neal chipped in 14 and Ren Mallory added 12 as Community Colleges of Spokane beat Big Bend 78-65 in the NWAACC opener for both teams in Moses Lake.

The Sasquatch improved to 10-4 on the season while the Vikings fell to 10-4.

“Ula Tauala scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds to guide North Idaho to a 65-59 victory over the Idaho All-Stars on the final day of action at the Scenic West Athletic Conference Challenge in Coeur d’Alene.

Shaneya Valdez added 10 points and five assists for the Cardinals (10-3), who held a 34-27 advantage at the half.

The Idaho All-Stars were led by Lyndsey Herbert, who scored a game-high 27 points and pulled down 11 rebounds.

Also at the SWAC Challenge, Tera Tremayne led four players in double figures with 16 points and Southern Idaho beat the North Idaho alumni 85-70.