1/18 - GEORGE FOX 57, PACIFIC LUTHERAN 55: Bruins Survive Last-Minute Onslaught to Pin PLU
NEWBERG, Ore. - In one of the most astounding minutes of shooting in basketball history, the Pacific Lutheran University Lutes scored an incredible 17 points in the last 55 seconds, but still wound up two points short as the George Fox University Bruins survived the onslaught for a 57-55 win in a Northwest Conference women's basketball game Saturday night (Jan. 18) here at the Wheeler Sports Center.
Darby Cave's jumper with 1:56 left gave the Bruins a seemingly-safe 50-38 lead, but the Lutes hit five three-pointers and a layup in the final minute while fouling constantly to get the ball. The run:
0:55, PLU's Kelly Turner hit a three - 50-41.
0:54, GFU's Kim Leith missed a one-and-one.
0:40.5, PLU's Mallory Mann hit a three - 50-44.
0:37.5, GFU's Liz Clark hit two free throws after rebounding a missed free throw by Leith - 52-44.
0:30.0, PLU's Anna Sticklin hit an NBA-range three - 52-47.
0:29.7, Leith hit two free throws - 54-47.
0:22.2, Turner hit an off-balance three and twisted her ankle - 54-50.
0:21.2, Leith hit one free throw but missed the second - 55-50.
0:12.9, Sticklin hit another long three - 55-53.
0:10.7, Leith hit two free throws - 57-53.
0:03.1, Mann hit a driving layup and was fouled - 57-55. After a timeout, Mann intentionally missed the free throw, but Cave rebounded and cleared the ball out as time ran out.
George Fox had opened the game with a 10-2 run and remained comfortably ahead throughout the first half, entering the break with a 32-19 advantage. The Bruins held the Lutes to only a .258 shooting mark in the half (8-31) while hitting at a .556 clip of their own (10-18). Hilary Berg kept the Lutes in the game with 11 points, most on putbacks of missed PLU shots as she grabbed 7 offensive boards in the half.
The Bruins maintained a double-digit lead most of the second half, the Lutes getting no closer than eight at 46-38 with 3:03 to play before that final frantic minute.
Clark posted a double-double for the Bruins with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Cave chipped in with 12 points and 6 boards. The Bruins were at a decided free throw advantage because of the late fouls, hitting 19-25 to only 2-5 for PLU.
Turner paced the Lutes with 18 points, Berg was scoreless in the second half but still had a double-double with 11 points and 14 boards, and Courtney Johnson scored 10.
The win improved the Bruins to 9-6 overall and 4-2 in the conference. It was the first league loss of the season for the Lutes, who fell to 11-4 overall and 5-1 in the NWC.
George Fox visits Yamhill County rival Linfield College Tuesday (Jan. 21) for a 6:00 p.m. contest. Pacific Lutheran hosts the University of Puget Sound Tuesday, also at 6:00 p.m. Both games will be followed by men's games at 8:00 p.m.