The Pioneers cruised to a 75-49 (box score) victory on the road at Pacific Lutheran Saturday night. Crystal Castle had her seventh double-double of the season. Kim Kittell scored 18 points with eight assists.

The Pacific Lutheran Lutes jumped out to an early 6-2 lead on the home court. The Pioneers erased the deficit, tying the game 8-8 on a jumper by Allison Farr (senior, Lakeport, Calif.). Crystal Castle (senior, Rocklin, Calif.) scored seven points in just over a minute and a half to help the Pioneers push out to a 17-10 lead. The closest the Lutes would come was within three, 17-14, with just over 13 minutes left in the half. The Pioneers outscored the Lutes 24-13 through the rest of the period to take a 41-27 lead into the break.

In the second half, the Lutes managed to cut the Pioneer lead to single digits three times, but the Pioneers immediately answered after each instance to get the lead back up to at least ten. The Pioneers really took over the game with nine minutes remaining, scoring 14 straight points and keeping the Lutes off the scoreboard for eight minutes. The Pioneer defense allowed the Lutes just one field goal in the final 9:30 of the game.

Crystal Castle scored 23 points with 10 rebounds, her second-straight game posting a double-double. It is her seventh game this season with double-digit points and rebounds and the 16th time in her career. Allison Farr scored in double-digits for the sixth straight game, scoring 11 points with 8 rebounds. Kim Kittell (sophomore, Tillamook, Ore.) scored 18 points with eight assists and four steals.

With the victory, the Pioneers improve to 10-9 (6-4 NWC). They remain in a three-way tie for third place in the Conference with Whitworth and Whitman, the two teams they will face next weekend at the Pamplin Sports Center. Both games will be carried live on the internet through sportsjuice.com.

Friday night, February 8, will be the Pioneers' Think Pink night. Fans are encouraged to wear pink and help the Pioneers and the WBCA raise breast cancer awareness. Friday night's contest against the Whitworth Pirates begins at 6pm.

On Saturday, the Pioneers will host the Whitman Missionaries. Saturday's game has a special 4pm tip time.