2/25 - GEORGE FOX 70, LEWIS & CLARK 40: Bruins Beat Pioners to Win NWC Crown and NCAA Berth
NEWBERG, Ore. - Leaving no doubt from the opening tip, the George Fox University Bruins sewed up sole possession of the 2004-05 Northwest Conference women's basketball title and the accompanying NCAA Tournament berth with a convincing 70-40 win over the Lewis & Clark College Pioneers Friday night here at the Wheeler Sports Center's Miller Gym.
The Bruins' win completed a regular-season record of 20-5 and a 14-2 conference ledger, eliminating any hope for second-place Whitworth College of tying for the league lead. The Bruins will find out their first-round opponent, or second-round opponent if they should receive a bye, along with the site, when pairings are announced some time Sunday by the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Committee. First-round games will be played Wednesday, March 2, with second-round games on Saturday, March 5.
Erin Powers hit a jumper 10 seconds into the game, Kim Leith drained a three-pointer, and Liz Clark connected for three to give the Bruins an 8-0 lead with 18:20 to go in the half. After Allison Farr broke the string with a basket, the Bruins reeled off the next 7 points for a 15-2 lead. A 6-2 Pioneer run cut the deficit to nine at 17-8 with 9:53 to play in the half, but Kellie Thomas hit a jumper and the Bruins never led by less than double digits the rest of the game.
After holding a 36-18 halftime margin, the Bruins stretched it to as many as 35 on Thomas' three-pointer, making it 70-35 with 3:24 left in the game. The Bruins held the Pios to a .273 shooting percentage (15-55), including a mere 1-12 from three-point range, and forced 23 turnovers.
Thomas paced the Bruins with 16 points, including 4 three-pointers, Katy Campbell came off the bench for a career-high 14, and Leith added 12. Campbell and Jordan Wilde had 4 rebounds apiece, while Leith had 7 assists and 3 steals.
Farr was the only double-figure scorer for the Pioneers with 12. She and Talia Hristou had 9 rebounds each as the Pios controlled the boards 46-42. Crystal Castle passed out 5 assists.
Lewis & Clark, now 5-19 overall and 1-14 in the conference, will complete its season Saturday by hosting the University of Puget Sound at 6:00 p.m.