2/12 - GEORGE FOX 68, LINFIELD 50: Bruins Alone Atop NWC after Win over 'Cats and Whitworth Loss
McMINNVILLE, Ore. - With a little help from Pacific Lutheran University and a lot of help from Kim Leith and Liz Clark, the George Fox University Bruins moved into sole possession of first place in the Northwest Conference women's basketball race with a 68-50 win over the Linfield College Wildcats Saturday night at here at Ted Wilson Gym.
The Bruins entered the game tied with 16th-ranked Whitworth College atop the league standings, but the Pirates were beaten at home by PLU's Lutes 72-62. George Fox is now 16-5 overall and 10-2 in the conference after its third straight win, while Linfield fell to 10-10 overall and 5-6 in the league.
Leith and Clark combined for 43 points, with Leith totaling 22 and Clark 21. The pair also had four steals apiece as George Fox forced 20 turnovers while committing just 11 of their own.
In the first half, George Fox twice led by 10 points and held a 31-23 advantage at the break. Clark scored 13 points in the period, making 4-8 shots, including a pair of three-pointers. The difference in the first half came at the free throw line, where the Bruins sank 9-13, compared with the Wildcats' 3-4. Linfield committed 11 first-half turnovers.
The Wildcats narrowed the deficit to three to begin the second half as Kendra Victor dropped in a three and Britany Mock converted a jumper in the paint. But George Fox countered with an 8-1 run to open its largest lead, 39-28. The Wildcats never threatened after that.
Leith and Clark were the only Bruins in double figures in scoring. Katy Campbell pulled in a game-high 10 rebounds and Clark and Leith had 9 each as the Bruins held a slight 41-39 advantage on the backboards. Leith passed out 4 assists.
Brandi Loring led Linfield with 13 points, Heidi Jurgens totaled 12, and Bayley Coblentz added 10. Linfield shot only .309 (17-55) from the field. Lindsay Sticka had 8 boards for Linfield, and Jurgens had 3 assists.
The Bruins continue a three-game road swing with games Friday at the University of Puget Sound and Saturday at Pacific Lutheran. The Wildcats return to action Tuesday when they travel to meet Willamette University in Salem. All games are at 6:00 p.m., followed by men's games at 8:00 p.m.