1/9 - PUGET SOUND 53, GEORGE FOX 44: Loggers Sink Bruins with Late Freebies in NWC Opener
NEWBERG, Ore. - Angie Straw sank two free throws with 2:18 left to break a 42-42 tie and the Northwest Conference's best free throw-shooting team hit 6 of 6 from the line in the final 30 seconds, giving the visiting University of Puget Sound Loggers a 53-44 win over the George Fox University Bruins in the conference opener for both women's basketball teams Friday night here at Miller Gym in the Wheeler Sports Center.
The homestanding Bruins came out of the chute on fire, hitting their first four shots for an 8-0 lead three minutes into the game. Kim Leith's jumper at the 7-minute mark made it 17-13 Bruins, but the Loggers outscored the Bruins 12-0 the rest of the half for a 25-17 lead. George Fox hit only 4 of 20 shots the last 17 minutes of the half and committed 12 first-half turnovers.
Puget Sound took its biggest lead at 39-29 on a layup by Heidi Collier with 10:34 to play, but the Bruins battled back to tie the contest 42-42 with 2:27 left on a steal and layup by Robin Taylor. Straw's freebies broke the tie, and Collier hit a critical 3-pointer at 1:25 for a 47-42 UPS edge. Kellie Thomas sank two free throws with 32 seconds left to cut the UPS lead to 47-44, but Kilty Keaton with 4 free throws and Jennifer McLuen with a pair in the final half-minute enabled the Loggers to ice the win, their 4th straight over the Bruins.
Thomas led the Bruins with 17 points, the only Bruin in twin digits, while Darby Cave was the top rebounder with 8 and Liz Clark had a team-high 3 assists. George Fox hit 34.7% from the field, but hurt itself the most with 22 turnovers to only 14 for Puget Sound.
Lindsay May scored 16 for Puget Sound, the only Logger in double figures, Angie Straw grabbed 9 rebounds as UPS held a 38-35 advantage on the boards, and Keaton had a team-high 3 assists. UPS shot only 29.6% (16-54) from the field, but hit 80.0% (20-25) on free throws after taking a league-leading 73.9% from the charity stripe into the game.
George Fox is now 6-3 overall and 0-1 in the conference, while Puget Sound won its 3rd in a row and is 9-1 overall, 1-0 in the league.
The Bruins host Pacific Lutheran University while the Loggers go to Pacific University Saturday (Jan. 10), both games at 6:00 p.m., followed by men's games at 8:00 p.m. The Border Collies International trained dog show is scheduled for the halftime at both George Fox games Saturday.