1/13 - GEORGE FOX 70, PACIFIC 42: Tight Defense and Career High for Fitch Key Bruins Over Boxers
NEWBERG, Ore. - Amy Fitch scored a career-high 19 points and the George Fox University defense held Pacific University to single digits in points in the first half, carrying the Bruins to a 70-42 win over the visiting Boxers in a Northwest Conference women's basketball game Tuesday night here at Miller Gym in the Wheeler Sports Center.
George Fox never trailed, jumping out to a 6-0 lead on baskets by Kellie Thomas and Liz Clark around a pair of free throws by Fitch. The Boxers got within three at 8-5 on a jumper by Tori Nelson with 12:48 left in the half, but the Bruins shut down the Boxers and outscored the visitors 24-4 the rest of the period, taking a 32-9 lead into the break. Pacific hit only 3 of 28 shots for a 10.7 percent mark in the first 20 minutes.
Although things improved somewhat for Pacific in the second half as the Boxers managed to hit 11 of 42 shots (26.2%), the Bruins were also hotter in the half, hitting 14 of 25 (56.0%). Pacific never got closer than 19 points the rest of the way, and the Bruins led by as much as 31 three times, the earliest at 49-18 with 10:12 to play.
Fitch hit 7 of 10 shots, including a three, and 4 of 4 free throws for her game-high 19, while Thomas and Darby Cave chipped in with 10 apiece. Clark and Cave had 8 rebounds each as the Bruins dominated on the boards 52-42. Fitch also had a game-high 5 assists.
Nelson had 17 points, the only Boxer in double digits, while Katannya Kapeli and Sara Harsin were Pacific's top rebounders with 5 each. Kristine Callan had 5 steals.
George Fox improved to 7-4 overall and 1-2 in the conference, while Pacific slipped to 6-3 overall and 1-1 in league play.
The Bruins make their first conference road swing this weekend, visiting Lewis & Clark College Friday, while the Boxers go to Linfield College Friday. Both games are at 6:00 p.m., followed by men's games at 8:00 p.m.