12/30 -NEW JERSEY 64, GEORGE FOX 54: Short-Handed Bruins Come Up Short Against Powerful Lions
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Playing without their top scorer and their leading rebounder, the George Fox University Bruins fought hard but came up a bit short in a 64-54 loss to the College of New Jersey Lions in their first game in the Grand Canyon Trip Sports Classic Thursday afternoon here at Glendale Community College.
The Bruins were without forward Liz Clark, who averages 7.9 rebounds a game, and shooting guard Kim Leith, their leading point-producer at 15.3 points per game. The two had remained in Newberg to attend a Thursday morning funeral service for close friend Patrick Kibler, a George Fox student who was killed in a tragic two-car collision in Lake Oswego, Ore., the night of Dec. 20. Both players were to fly to Phoenix Thursday evening and play in the Bruins' Friday game against Neumann College.
George Fox took an early 10-5 lead against New Jersey before the Lions caught fire, going on a 20-2 run to take a 25-12 lead. New Jersey led at the half 37-28, and the Bruins battled the Lions on virtually even terms thereafter but could never close the gap to where the Lions felt seriously threatened.
Kellie Thomas led the Bruins with a game-high 23 points. Erin Powers and Melissa Marek-Farris each grabbed 6 rebounds for the Bruins, who were out-rebounded 46-32 without Clark. The Bruins struggled from the field without Leith, hitting only 32%.
Alexa Shields paced the Lions with 12 points, while Theresa DiMedio and Megan Hueter scored 11 apiece. DiMedio grabbed a game-high 9 rebounds.
George Fox had its five-game winning streak snapped and slipped to 5-3 on the season. The College of New Jersey, the defending champion in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, improved to 7-2 with its sixth straight win.
The Bruins face the Neumann Knights from Aston, Pa., Friday at 1:30 p.m., also at Glendale CC in the Grand Canyon Classic, in their final non-conference contest before opening Northwest Conference play on Jan. 7 at Whitman College.