1/16 - GEORGE FOX 65, LEWIS & CLARK 45: Bruins Pass First NWC Road Test with Win over Pioneers
PORTLAND, Ore. - Buoyed by a sterling effort on the boards, the George Fox University Bruins won their first Northwest Conference women's basketball road test of the year, defeating the Lewis & Clark College Pioneers 65-45 Friday night here at the Pamplin Sports Center.
George Fox jumped out to a double-digit lead at 18-6 midway through the first period and built it to 32-17 at the half on the strength of a decisive edge in rebounds. While hitting only 38.2% of their shots (13-34), the Bruins got plenty of second chances, corralling 13 offensive rebounds among the 30 total they grabbed in the half. The Pios had only 13 rebounds collectively at the break, while the Bruin defense held the home team to 28.6% shooting (8-28).
In the second half, the Bruins stretched their lead to as many as 24 at 55-31 on a pair of Erin Powers free throws with 9 minutes left in the game. A late run enabled the Pios to close within 12 at 56-44 on a Cedra Fox layup with 3:23 left, but the Bruins ended the game with a 9-1 run to regain control.
Liz Clark sparked the Bruins with her 3rd double-double of the season and 7th of her career, garnering 17 points and 14 rebounds, and nearly had it in the first half with 11 points and 8 boards at the break. Kellie Thomas added 15 points and Robin Taylor scored a career-high 12. Thomas and Amy Fitch had a game-high 4 assists each. George Fox, the NWC's top rebounding team, pulled down a season-high 54 to only 32 for Lewis & Clark, including 20 offensive boards.
Sarah Moon was the only Pioneer to score in double figures, tossing in 14, while Fox led the Pios with 9 rebounds. The Pios were particularly ineffective from long range, hitting only 2 of 20 three-point tries.
The Bruins improved to 8-4 overall and evened their NWC record at 2-2 while beating the Pioneers for the 19th straight time. Lewis & Clark slipped to 3-9 overall and 0-3 in the conference.
George Fox takes on Yamhill County rival Linfield College Saturday night in McMinnville, while Lewis & Clark goes to Salem to take on Willamette University Saturday. Both Northwest Conference games begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by men's games at 8:00 p.m.