Whitworth women win in overtime

Whitworth and Lexi Belcher rallied for a 70-68 overtime win over Pacific in a Northwest Conference women’s basketball game Friday night at the Whitworth Fieldhouse.

Belcher led the Pirates with 21 points and 14 rebounds, but left the game midway through the overtime with leg cramps with the game tied at 63. She returned in time to grab two crucial rebounds to help the Pirates improve to 6-8 overall and 2-3 in the NWC. Pacific is 9-4, 2-3.

Kayla Johnson put Whitworth ahead for good, 67-65, with a layup with 36 seconds left in the overtime.

Whitworth led by two points at halftime, but outscored the Boxers 10-4 in the first 6 minutes of the second half to go ahead 33-25, its largest lead of the game.

Whitworth plays host to Linfield at 6 tonight.

Track and field

Idaho senior Gabby Midles won the women’s 20-pound weight throw as the Vandals’ men and women opened the indoor season at the Washington State University Open in Pullman.

Midles reached a distance of 54 feet, 7.5 inches. Midles’ teammate, Kristine Leonard, was second with a career-best toss of 52-0.5.

Action continues today, starting with the men’s long jump at 8:30 a.m.