Spokane, Wash. - The Pomona-Pitzer Women's Basketball team received double-doubles from sophomore forward Jenn Okonkwo and freshman forward Basha Brulee-Wills, but it was not enough as host Whitworth pulled away late for a 72-56 win on Friday evening in the season opener for both teams at the Whit Classic.

Okonkwo (pictured) had 22 points and 14 rebounds and Brulee-Wills had 10 points and 10 rebounds in her college debut.

The Sagehens led 30-29 at the half, behind 12 points from Okonkwo and nine from sophomore forward Amelia Hummel. With 10 minutes left the Sagehens led 44-41 after two foul shots from sophomore guard Julia Shay Kim, but the Pirates took over from there. A three-pointer from Lexie Zappone tied it with 9:45 to go and started a 10-0 run that gave Whitworth a 51-44 lead.

An Okonwko lay-up with 6:10 left brought Pomona-Pitzer within 56-51, but Whitworth then went on an 8-0 run to put the game away. Zappone started the run with a lay-up and KC McConnell capped it off with a lay-up and two foul shots with 3:47 to play.

McConnell finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds for Whitworth to lead the way for the Pirates. Hummel finished with 11 for the Sagehens, who played without any seniors or juniors in the game. The team has no seniors on the roster this season, while junior Maria Weyhrauch is studying abroad in the fall, and junior captain Ruthie Shapiro did not play due to injury.

Pomona-Pitzer will be back in action tomorrow on the second day of the Whit Classic for a 4 p.m. contest against Whitman.