2/22 - GEORGE FOX 62, PACIFIC 23: Record Defense Carries Bruins by Boxers for Share of NWC Title
NEWBERG, Ore. - Setting team records for fewest points allowed in a half and in a game, the George Fox University Bruins broke open a close game in the second half and defeated the Pacific University Boxers 62-23 Tuesday night here at the Wheeler Sports Center's Miller Gym, earning a share of their 3rd Northwest Conference women's basketball title in six years.
George Fox improved to 19-5 overall and 13-2 in the conference with its 6th straight win, leaving only Whitworth College, a 59-56 winner at Whitman College, with a chance to tie them. The Bruins can win the conference crown outright and the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament that goes with it in their final game of the regular season Friday at home against Lewis & Clark College at 6:00 p.m. George Fox also won NWC titles in 2000 and 2001.
Both teams came out sluggish to start the game, struggling to find any offensive rhythm. After early 2-0 and 4-3 deficits, the Bruins led the remainder of the half, building up an 8-point lead at 18-10 with 6:48 left on a pair of free throws by Melissa Marek-Farris. The Bruins led 22-17 at the half after hitting only 9-34 (.265) from the field and 2-14 from 3-point range. Pacific was almost as futile, hitting only 8-23 (.348) and 1-8 from long range, but it was just a harbinger of things to come.
The Bruins finally got going in the second half, hitting 8 of their first 12 floor shots in the first nine minutes, holding the Boxers without a field goal during that time, and out-scoring the visitors 20-2 to take a 42-19 lead. Hitting .560 in the second half (14-25), the Bruins eventually stretched the lead to the final 39-point margin. Pacific managed only 2-13 (.154) shooting in the second half as the Bruins forced 22 turnovers in the period, 40 in the game, and made 25 steals. The 6 points scored was the lowest total ever for a Bruin opponent, as was the final total of 23 points.
Ten different players scored for the Bruins, Kim Leith leading the way with 11. Liz Clark had 10 rebounds as the Bruins held a 36-27 advantage on the boards. Clark, Erin Powers, and Karissa Boyd had 4 assists each, and Clark keyed the defense with 5 steals.
DeeDee Arnall, the NWC leader and No. 2 scorer in the nation (22.2 ppg) led the Boxers with 9 points, Kristina Stevens had 6 rebounds, and Kristine Callan made 3 steals. Pacific, which goes to Linfield College Friday for a 6:00 p.m. game, fell to 8-15 overall and 3-11 in the league.