Women's Basketball Release
1/7 - GEORGE FOX 69, PACIFIC 50: Bruins Overcome Boxers with Second-Half Shooting Surge
FOREST GROVE, Ore. - More than doubling their shooting percentage in the second half after a horrendous first half, the George Fox University Bruins surged past the Pacific University Boxers for a 69-50 victory in a Northwest Conference women's basketball game Saturday night here at the Pacific Athletic Center.
One night after their 11-game winning streak was snapped at the University of Puget Sound, the Bruins got back into the win column, but not without an early struggle. The Bruins missed 10 of their first 11 shots from the field and managed only a meager 25.7% (9-35) for the half. Led by 12 first-half points from center DeeDee Arnall, the Boxers took a 28-20 lead with two minutes left in the period. The George Fox defense, which picked up 11 steals in the half, then asserted itself as the Bruins scored the last 9 points of the period, taking a slim 29-28 lead into the break after Tiffany Behary nailed a three-pointer with 7 seconds left.
With Kim Leith, who was held scoreless in the first half, scoring the Bruins' first six points of the second half on a free throw, a short jumper, and a three, the Bruins began to take control. Ashley Emerick's three from the top of the key extended the Bruins' lead to 14 points at 53-39 with 11:18 to play, and the Bruins maintained a double-digit lead most of the rest of the game. The Bruins' second-half shooting improved dramatically to 59.3% (16-27).
Leith finished with 14 points, all in the second half, and Robin Taylor also had 14 to lead with Bruins, while Behary chipped in with 11, including 3-3 from three-point range. Taylor had 3 assists, and Tiffany Schmidt pulled down 7 boards. Led by Erin Powers with 5 steals, the Bruins picked up 16 steals and forced the Boxers into 25 turnovers.
Arnall collected 21 points before fouling out, the only Boxer in double figures, and also had a game-high 8 rebounds as the Boxers controlled the backboards 43-36. Sara Harsin passed out 4 assists. Pacific was held to a 32.1% (18-56) from the field for the game, 25.0% (8-32) in the second half.
George Fox, ranked 2nd in the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division III coaches' poll and 4th in the D3hoops.com poll, improved to 12-1 overall and 3-1 in the conference. Pacific dropped to 4-9 overall and 0-3 in the league.
The Bruins visit Linfield College Tuesday and the Boxers host Willamette University Friday in the next conference action for each team. Tipoff for both games is 6 p.m., followed by men's NWC games at 8 p.m.