SPOKANE, Wash. - The No. 21 Carroll College women's basketball team had a chance to tie the game against NCAA DIII seventh-ranked Whitman College with just six seconds on the clock, but a three-point attempt was blocked, and the rebound was gathered by Whitman to close a 59-55 win for the Blues in a neutral site game at Whitworth University in Spokane. 

Whitman led nearly wire-to-wire, but the Saints refused to let them run away with the contest. 

The Saints struck first on a Hannah Dean jumper, but the Blues rattled off six-straight to take a 6-2 lead, Carroll tied the game at 8-8 before Whitworth closed the quarter on a 6-0 run to take a 14-8 lead into the second. 

In the second quarter, the two teams traded shots before Carroll closed the half with back-to-back buckets from Bailey Pasta, including a three-pointer with just three seconds left to cut the deficit to 30-28.

Whitman outscored Carroll 11-9 in the third quarter to take a 41-37 lead into the final frame. 

The Blues built the lead to 55-47 with 3:01 remaining before Carroll hit a three-pointer and a bucket and a free throw to cut the lead to 55-53. The advantage was 58-55 after a three-pointer from Brittney Johnson with 19 seconds left, setting up the last attempt for the Saints that was blocked. Whitman's Sierra McGarity was fouled and made one to extend the lead to 59-55 which would be the final score. 

"We must have better disciple and assertiveness on the offense," head coach Rachelle Sayers said. "We are just turning it over way too much, and most are unforced errors. Our kids are working hard, they have great attitudes, they understand championships aren't won in December, but we certainly aren't satisfied with the outcome. We played a very quality opponent, Whitman is the seventh-ranked team in NCAA DIII, there is no replacement for that, but we can be a lot better on both ends."

Four Saints scored in double figures led by Johnson with 14. Pasta had 13, Christine Denny and Dean scored 10 each. Dean Also had a team-high seven boards. 

The Saints were 20-49 (40.8 percent) from the field and 6-20 (30 percent) from the three-point line. Whitman carried the 35-31 rebounding edge and forced the Saints into 22 turnovers. 

Makana Stone and Meagen Martin had 15 points each to lead Whitman. The Blues were 24-50 (48 percent) from the field and 1-7 (14.3 percent) from the three-point line. 

Carroll continues action tomorrow against tournament host Whitworth at 5 p.m. MST. Live stats are available here, and the live stream will is here. Radio coverage begins at 4:45 MST on 94.9 ESPN Radio and espnmontana.com.