11/19 - CENTRAL WASHINGTON 82, GEORGE FOX 76: Bruins Drop Season Opener in OT to D-II Wildcats
SEATTLE, Wash. - Led by a career-high 27 points from Kim Leith, the George Fox University Bruins pushed NCAA Division II foe Central Washington University to the limit before succumbing to the Wildcats 82-76 in overtime in a women's basketball first-round game in the Sodexho Tip-Off Classic Friday afternoon here at Seattle Pacific University's Brougham Pavilion.
Central Washington led by as many as 11 points in the second half before the Bruins rallied, led by Leith, whose big night included four 3-point field goals. She was the Northwest Conference leader in that category last year, hitting 1.96 per game. George Fox broke a 65-65 tie and forged ahead 70-65 with 4:48 left on a layup by Kellie Thomas and a Leith three, but the Wildcats battled back to tie it 74-74 on Kelly Quinn's two free throws with 16 seconds left, sending the game into an extra period.
Hanna Hull, who had a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 18 rebounds, scored half the Wildcats' points in overtime as Central overpowered the Bruins 8-2 to avoid the upset. Laura Wright also had a double-double for the Wildcats with 15 points and 14 boards, Jamie Corwin scored 19, Quinn had 15, and Ashley Blake tallied 12. Corwin had 7 assists and 5 steals. The Wildcats dominated the backboards 55-33 and got 21 offensive rebounds.
In addition to Leith's outpouring, Liz Clark scored 16 and Thomas finished with 10 for George Fox. Clark was the Bruins' top rebounder with 9. Tiffany Behary, starting at the point in her first college game, had a game-high 8 assists and 5 steals. The Bruins shot .431 from the field (28-65), including 12-21 (.571) from 3-point range.
In Saturday's matchups, Central Washington takes on Warner Pacific College at 1:00 p.m., and George Fox meets host Seattle Pacific at 5:00 p.m. A men's tournament is intermingled with the women's tournament, hence the four-hour break between women's games.