1/20 - GEORGE FOX 68, WILLAMETTE 48: Thomas Sparks Bruins to Big Early Lead in Win over Bearcats
NEWBERG, Ore. - Shooting guard Kellie Thomas scored a game-high 22 points, 16 in the first half, and the George Fox Bruins never trailed in rolling to a 68-48 win over the visiting Willamette University Bearcats in Northwest Conference women's basketball action Tuesday night here at Miller Gym in the Wheeler Sports Center.
The game was tied twice in the first 5 minutes, but two free throws by Robin Taylor and three straight baskets by Kim Leith lifted the Bruins from an 8-8 tie to a 16-8 lead with 11:29 left, and the Bearcats got no closer than 6 the rest of the period. It was 40-24 George Fox at the half, and the Bruins extended that to as much as 27 in the second half on Katie Plumb's layup with 9:17 to go, making it 58-31 at that point.
George Fox used its dominance on the boards to control the game, holding a 47-39 advantage over the Bearcats, including 15 on the offensive end. The Bruin defense forced 22 Willamette turnovers and held the Bearcats to a 32.1 shooting percentage (18-56) while committing only 17 turnovers themselves and shooting 39.7 percent (27-68).
In addition to Thomas' big game, Leith finished with 12 for the Bruins. Liz Clark grabbed 11 rebounds, and Leith led the defensive effort with 4 steals.
Simmie Muth was the Bearcats' only double-figure scorer with 11 points and also had 5 assists, while Deanna Lund had a game-high 14 rebounds.
George Fox is now 9-5 overall and evened its conference record at 3-3. Willamette dropped its 4th straight to fall to 4-9 overall and 0-4 in the conference.
The Bruins are off for 10 days before hosting Whitworth College on Friday, Jan. 30. The Bearcats host the University of Puget Sound this Friday, Jan. 23. Both games are at 6:00 p.m., followed by men's games at 8:00 p.m.