2/14 - PUGET SOUND 56, GEORGE FOX 53: Loggers Edge Bruins in Big Battle for NWC Tourney Bid
TACOMA, Wash. - In a game with important ramifications for the Northwest Conference Tournament, the University of Puget Sound Loggers took a big step forward with a 56-53 win over the George Fox University Bruins in a women's basketball cliffhanger Friday night (Feb. 14) here at Memorial Fieldhouse.
The Loggers led early, taking a 7-point advantage with 8:07 to go in the first half, but a 10-4 George Fox run towards intermission gave the Bruins a 29-28 lead. The Bruins shot 54% from the floor in the first half while holding the Loggers to just 34%. The second half wasn't much better for the Loggers as they converted on just 23% from the floor (6-26) but maintained their reputation as the best free throw shooting team in the conference, hitting on 13-16 in the final stanza.
The second half included 11 lead changes and two ties. The Loggers took their biggest lead at 49-43 with 7:05 to go, but the Bruins again answered and took the lead at 53-52 with 2:15 to go on a Kim Leith bucket. Lucy Wilson was fouled and hit a pair to regain the Loggers' lead at 54-53. The Bruins had the ball with 49 seconds to go, but three straight jumpers did not go down and the Loggers tied up the final rebound by the hustling Bruins for a change of possession jump ball to Puget Sound. GFU fouled Allison McCurdy, who missed both free throws, giving the Bruins a final shot in the key that again would not go down. The Bruins were forced to foul once more, and Wilson knocked down the final pair with 5.6 second left for the 56-53 final.
The Bruins were led by Amy Fitch with 10 points and Sarah Myhre with 11 rebounds. Fitch also had 4 assists. The Bruins controlled the backboards 43-39 and out-shot the Loggers 38% to 29% for the game.
Wilson posted a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Lindsay May added 12 points and 4 assists.
George Fox, which entered the night one game behind Puget Sound for the 3rd and final NWC Tournament spot, fell to 12-10 overall and 7-6 in league play. Puget Sound moved two games ahead of the Bruins at 16-6 overall and 9-4 in the NWC.
The Bruins now move across town to take on NWC leader Pacific Lutheran University Saturday (Feb. 15) at 6:00 p.m. The Bruins handed the Lutes their first conference loss of the season in a 57-55 win over the Lutes on Jan. 18 in Newberg.