Whitworth women burn George Fox in semifinal

NEWBERG, Ore. – KC McConnell scored a game-high 19 points and shot 12 for 12 from the free-throw line to lead a 30-for-34 effort as third-seeded Whitworth beat No. 2 George Fox 74-55 on Thursday in a Northwest Conference women’s basketball tournament semifinal.

Kayla Johnson added 14 points and nine rebounds and Kendra Lahue scored 12 as the Pirates (19-7) outscored the 13th-ranked Bruins 50-29 during the second half.

The Pirates went more than 13 minutes of the first half without a field goal, but an 8-0 run allowed them to forge a 22-all tie.

Whitworth was protecting a 39-38 lead with 9:27 left when Kendra Knutsen hit a 3-pointer to start a 13-0 run. The Pirates hit 15 straight free throws in the final 2:05.

Nicole Blizzard led four Bruins (22-4) in double figures with 12 points.

Whitworth will play top-seeded Whitman (26-0) for the title on Saturday.