Press Release
Overall 18-6: Home 11-1, Road 6-3, Neutral 1-2 / NWC 13-3 (1st, T): Home 7-1, Road 6-2
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Quick Facts / Roster / Schedule / Statistics / Results / Press Releases / Box Scores
HIGHLIGHTS:
* Coming Up: NCAA D-III Regional at George Fox March 2-3
* Recent Games: Bruins Win NWC Tournament Title over Puget Sound
* All-NWC: Campbell and Rueck Cop Top Conference Honors
* Polls/Rankings: Bruins Enter WBCA Poll in 24th Spot
* NCAA Stats: Bruins Ranked in Three Defensive Categories
* NWC Stats: Bruins League Leaders in Five Categories
* Season/Career Lists: Marek-Farris Already 3rd in Career Blocks
RECENT GAMES: 1-0 (Click scores for link to stories and box scores):
Feb. 24 - at George Fox 58, Puget Sound 51 (NWC Tournament Championship)
COMING UP: NCAA D-III Regional at George Fox March 2-3
Schedule:
Fri., Mar. 2, 5:30 pm - #12 McMurry University (24-4) vs. University of Puget Sound (21-6)
Fri., Mar. 2, 7:30 pm - #24 George Fox University (18-6) vs. #23 Gustavus Adolphus College (22-5)
Sat., Mar. 3, 7:30 pm - Regional Championship Game
All games will be played at the Wheeler Sports Center's Miller Gym (cap. 2,750) on the George Fox University main campus in Newberg, Ore. The winner of the regional will advance to one of four four-team sectionals March 9-10. The NCAA Division III Final Four is set for March 16-17 at Blake Arena, Springfield College, Springfield, Mass.
Tickets: Prices are $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children, students, and seniors 55 and up. Regular season passes are invalid for post-season play.
Broadcasts: Preliminary plans indicate that George Fox campus station KFOX will try to webcast all three games via the internet; fans may listen in at www.kfoxradio.net. McMurry will radio broadcast via ESPN Radio 1560 AM KZQQ in Abilene, Texas. Gustavus Adolphus also plans to stream their games as well as provide video streaming for fans who wish to watch. Links for all broadcasts will be provided on the George Fox women's basketball site at gfubruins.com.
#24 GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY (18-6):
The Bruins from Newberg, Ore., are members of the Northwest Conference ... GFU tied with the University of Puget Sound for the NWC title at 13-3 and defeated UPS in the NWC Tournament title game 58-51 to earn a Pool A automatic bid ... This is the fourth NCAA appearance for the Bruins in the last eight years; they are 4-3 in their previous three playoffs ... Series records: GFU is even with Puget Sound 13-13 since 1982 (9-4 home, 4-9 road), 0-0 vs. McMurry, 0-0 vs. Gustavus Adolphus ... The Bruins defeated Puget Sound in all three of their meetings this season, 58-50 Dec. 2 in Tacoma, Wash., 64-62 Jan. 27 in Newberg, and 58-51 Feb. 24 in Newberg in the NWC Tournament title game ... GFU averages 62.8 ppg and allows 52.0 ppg ... In NCAA stats, GFU ranks 21st in defense (52.0), 21st in field goal pct. defense (.336), 40th in blocked shots (4.5) ... The Bruins are led by three double-figure scorers: G Robin Taylor (12.5), F Katy Campbell (11.6), and C Melissa Marek-Farris (10.8) ... Campbell is the top rebounder (8.9) ... Taylor is the assists leader (2.38) ... In NCAA stats, Marek-Farris ranks 23rd in blocked shots (2.5) ... Coach Scott Rueck (Oregon State '91) is 202-79 (.719) in his 11th season ...
Bruins in the NCAA (4-3)
1999-2000 (2-1, "Sweet 16")
Defeated Linfield 63-51, March 1, Newberg, Ore.
Defeated California Lutheran 71-63, March 4, Newberg, Ore.
Lost to St. Thomas MN 64-76, March 10, Abilene, Texas (at Hardin-Simmons)
2000-01 (0-1, 2nd round)
First-round bye
Lost to St. Thomas MN 52-64, March 3, Newberg, Ore.
2004-05 (2-1, "Elite 8")
First-round bye
Defeated Chapman 86-55, March 5, Newberg, Ore.
Defeated St. Benedict 74-69, March 11, Ashland, Va.
Lost at Randolph-Macon 51-63, March 12, Ashland, Va.
UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND (21-6):
The Loggers from Tacoma, Wash., are members of the Northwest Conference ... UPS tied with George Fox University for the NWC title at 13-3 but lost to the Bruins in the NWC Tournament title game 58-51 and received a Pool C at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament ... The Loggers, who are making their third NCAA appearance, were an at-large team last year and went 1-1 ... UPS averages 65.4 ppg and allows 53.7 ppg ... In NCAA stats, UPS ranks 43rd in defense (53.7), 48th in scoring margin (+11.7), 9th in fewest turnover (14.6) ... The Loggers are led by two double-figure scorers: G Allison Craven (10.7) and G Laura Hirsh (10.2) ... G Shelby Ramirez is the top rebounder (4.8) ... Hirsh is the assists leader (2.00) ... Coach Suzy Barcomb (U. of Washington) is 169-67 (.716) in her 9th season ...
#23 GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE (22-5):
The Golden Gusties from St. Peter, Minn., are members of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference ... GAC finished second to the College of St. Benedict in the MIAC, then lost to St. Benedict 56-54 in the MIAC Tournament final and received a Poll C at-large bid to the NCAAs ... This is the fourth NCAA appearance for the Gusties, who were last in it in 2003; they are 1-3 in their previous trips ... GAC averages 65.6 ppg and allows 52.0 ppg ... In NCAA stats, GAC ranks 20th in defense (52.0), 35th in scoring margin (+13.6), 9th in free throw pct. (.745), 42nd in steals (12.5), 34th in fewest turnovers (16.5) ... The Gusties are led by two double-figure scorers: G Jess Vadnais (18.9) and C Bri Monahan (16.4) ... Monahan is the top rebounder (6.4) ... Vadnais is the assists leader (3.26) ... In NCAA stats, Vadnais ranks 32nd in scoring (18.9), 4th in free throw pct. (.907) ... Coach Mickey Haller is 135-50 (.729) in her 7th season ...
#12 McMURRY UNIVERSITY (24-4):
The Indians from Abilene, Texas, are members of the American Southwest Conference ... McMurry finished second to Howard Payne University in the ASC's Western Division and then lost to HPU 49-40 in the ASC Tournament finals, then received a Poll C at-large bod to the NCAA Tournament ... McMurry is ranked #12 in both the WBCA poll (121 points) and the D3hoops.com poll (352 points) ... This is the third NCAA appearance for McMurry, including last year when they lost to Hardin-Simmons 64-53 in the first round ... McMurry averages 74.4 ppg and allows 59.1 ppg ... In NCAA stats, McMurry ranks 17th in scoring (74.4), 27th in scoring margin (+15.3), 14th in field goal pct. (.449), 22nd in 3-pt field goal pct. (.351), 16th in assists (17.0), 35th in fewest turnovers (16.6) .. The Indians are led by two double-figure scorers: C Tarra Richardson (19.5) and F Maigen Sawyer (12.9) ... Richardson is the top rebounder (9.3) ... Symbri Tuttle is the assists leader (7.8) ... In NCAA stats, Richardson ranks 24th in scoring (19.5), 17th in field goal pct. (.566), and 21st in blocked shots (2.6), and Tuttle is 1st in assists (7.8) ... Coach Sam Nichols is 199-123 (.618) in his 12th season ...
COACH SCOTT RUECK:
Scott Rueck (Oregon State '91), the 2006-07 Northwest Conference Coach of the Year, is 202-79 (.718) to date in his 11th season as a college head coach, all at George Fox. He picked up his 200th win Feb. 16 whenthe Bruins defeated Pacific Lutheran 65-52 at home. He also received NWC Coach of the Year honors in 1999-2000, 2000-01 (Co-Coach), and 2004-05. Click here for the complete bio on Coach Rueck.
Rueck vs. upcoming opponents:
Gustavus Adolphus - 0-0
McMurry - 0-0
Puget Sound - 13-11 (9-3 home, 4-8 road)
BRUIN BITS:
* All-NWC: Campbell and Rueck Cop Top Conference Honors
Junior forward Katy Campbell was named Player of the Year and head coach Scott Rueck won Coach of the Year honors, highlighting the selection of four George Fox University Bruins to the 2006-07 All-Northwest Conference women's basketball teams as voted on by the league's nine coaches.
Joining Campbell and Rueck on the All-Conference squads were senior wing Robin Taylor, a First Team choice, and junior center Melissa Marek-Farris, who was named to the Second Team. All were key components of a George Fox team that is 18-6 overall, won the conference co-championship with a 13-3 record and the conference tournament title, and hosts an NCAA Division III National Tournament Regional March 2-3.
Campbell was the only player to earn NWC Player of the Week three times this season, including the final two weeks of the regular season as the Bruins were driving toward the conference crown. An all-round talent, she leads the league in rebounding (8.9), and is 3rd in free throw pct. (.803), 4th in field goal pct. (.507), 6th in scoring (11.6), 13th in assists (2.13, T), 14th in blocked shots (0.42, T) and 15th in assist/turnover ratio (0.73). During the season, she reached double figures in scoring 14 times and rebounds eight times, with five double-doubles. She was the Bruins' leading scorer seven times and top rebounder 10 times, with highs of 21 points vs. Lewis & Clark in the title-clinching game and 14 rebounds vs. Wisconsin-Whitewater and Lewis & Clark. She was an honorable mention All-NWC selection last year. Her career free throw percentage of .739 (122-165) now ranks 10th on the all-time list at GFU, and with 497 career rebounds, she is only 47 away from the top 10. She earned the Bruin Athletic Association's Women's Athlete of the Week at George Fox five times this season.
Taylor, a Second Team All-NWC selection last year when she led the league in field goal percentage (.525), stepped up a level this season. She currently ranks 4th in the NWC in scoring (12.5), 6th in free throw pct. (.756) and assist/turnover ratio (1.16), 8th in assists (2.38) and 3-pt field goals (1.25), and 13th in 3-pt pct. (.280) and rebounding (5.4). She scored in double figures 17 times, including 20 or more points three times, with a season-high 22 vs. Northwest. She posted her first career double-double when she had 13 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Pacific, and her second with 15 points and a career-high 12 rebounds vs. Puget Sound in the NWC Tournament finale. She also had highs of six assists vs. Whitworth and four steals vs. Wisconsin-Whitewater. She led the team in scoring six times and in rebounds five times. She won the Bruin Athletic Association's Women's Athlete of the Week award three times this season. In her four-year career, she has scored 964 points, passed for 171 assists, and made 122 steals, all ranking in the top 15 in Bruin history. She is 11th in career field goal percentage (.444) and seventh in free throw pct. (.775). Taylor is from Bend, Ore., and Mountain View High School.
Marek-Farris stepped into the starting lineup this season and immediately became one of the most intimidating defensive presences in the league. Her average of 2.54 blocked shots a game leads the conference by a wide margin and ranks 22nd nationally. She also leads the league in field goal pct. (.544) while ranking 6th in rebounding (6.7), 10th in scoring (10.8) and 13th in free throw pct. (.643). She reached double figures in points 15 times and rebounds five times, with four double-doubles, including career highs of 22 points and 14 rebounds vs. Pacific Lutheran. She also blocked a high of six shots vs. PLU. She was the top scorer for the Bruins in points and rebounds seven time each. She was NWC Player of the Week for Jan. 1-7, and twice received the Bruin Athletic Association's Women's Athlete of the Week award. Her 61 blocked shots this season are the sixth-most in a single season, and with 97 career blocks, she is already third on the all-time list GFU. Her .516 career field goal accuracy (148-287) is also third on the GFU career chart. Marek-Farris is from Glide, Ore., and Glide High School.
Rueck, whose 11-year record at George Fox stands at 202-79 (.719), earned his fourth Coach of the Year award after leading the Bruins from a predicted fourth-place finish to first place. He was also honored by his colleagues in 1999-2000, 2000-01 (Co-Coach), and 2004-05. In each of those seasons, he guided the Bruins to NCAA post-season berths, including the "Sweet 16" in '00 and the "Elite 8" in '05. The winningest coach in GFU women's basketball history, he picked up his 200th win on Feb. 16 when the Bruins defeated Pacific Lutheran 65-52. Rueck is a native of Hillsboro, Ore., and a graduate of Oregon State University.
* 2006-07 Honors:
Katy Campbell:
- Northwest Conference Player of the Year
- Bruin Athletic Association Women's Athlete of the Week (Nov. 20-26, Nov. 27-Dec. 3, Jan. 15-21, Jan. 29-Feb. 4, Feb. 5-11, Feb. 12-18)
- NWC Player of the Week (HM-Nov. 20-26, HM-Nov. 27-Dec. 3, Jan. 15-21, HM-Jan. 29-Feb. 4; Feb. 5-11; Feb. 12-18)
Robin Taylor:
- All-Northwest Conference First Team
- Bruin Athletic Association Women's Athlete of the Week (Dec. 4-10, Dec. 11-21, Jan. 22-28)
- NWC Player of the Week (HM-Dec. 4-10, HM-Dec. 11-21, HM-Jan. 22-28)
Melissa Marek-Farris:
- All-Northwest Conference Second Team
- Bruin Athletic Association Women's Athlete of the Week (Nov. 13-19, Jan. 1-7)
- NWC Player of the Week (HM-Nov. 13-19, Jan. 1-7)
Tiffany Behary: - Bruin Athletic Association Women's Athlete of the Week (Jan. 8-14)
- NWC Player of the Week (HM-Jan. 8-14)
* Rankings/Polls: Bruins Enter WBCA Poll in 24th Spot
George Fox made its first appearance of the season in the national rankings this week as the Bruins came in 24th in the USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Coaches' Poll of Feb. 27, garnering 17 points. Bowdoin was No. 1 with 224 points and 8 first-place votes. The WBCA poll is voted on by a panel of 10 D-III coaches around the country.
George Fox remained among "others receiving votes" in the D3hoops.com poll of Feb. 26, which is voted on by a panel of 25 coaches, sports information directors, and media members. The Bruins picked up 33 points, 12 more than the week before, the 2nd-best total among "others". Bowdoin remained No. 1 with 619 points and 21 first-place votes.
In the third and final NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Committee 2007 regional rankings of Feb. 21, the Bruins were 6th in the West Region with an overall record of 17-6 and 13-4 mark at the time against regional competition. Luther was the West's top team (20-4 overall, 16-2 in region), followed by Simpson (20-5, 16-4), Puget Sound (20-5, 16-3), St. Benedict (20-5, 20-3), Gustavus Adolphus (21-4, 21-4), and George Fox. The committee ranked six teams in seven regions and eight in Northeast Region, based on the number of teams in the particular region.
Complete polls:
USA Today/ESPN Coaches' Poll / D3hoops.com Poll / NCAA Division III Regional Rankings
* NCAA Stats: Bruins Ranked in Three Defensive Categories
In the latest NCAA national statistics (thru Feb. 25), Melissa Marek-Farris ranks 23rd in blocked shots (2.5) ... As a team, George Fox ranks 21st in defense (52.0), 21st in field goal pct. defense (.336), and 40th in blocked shots (4.5) ...
Click here for the latest NCAA Statistics.
* NWC Stats: Bruins League Leaders in Five Categories
Where the Bruins rank in the latest Northwest Conference stats (thru Feb. 25):
Scoring Offense - 3rd (62.8)
Scoring Defense - 1st (52.0)
Scoring Margin - 2nd (+10.7)
Field Goal Pct. - 1st (.420)
Field Goal Pct. Defense - 1st (.336)
3-Pt Field Goals - 2nd (5.63)
3-Pt Field Goal Pct. - 2nd (.318)
3-Pt Field Goal Pct. Defense - 1st (.271)
Free Throw Pct. - 5th (.704)
Rebounding Offense - 4th (38.2)
Rebounding Defense - 4th (35.4)
Rebounding Margin - 4th (+2.8)
Assists - 1st (14.04)
Blocked Shots - 1st (4.46)
Steals - 5th (7.25)
Turnover Margin - 7th (-1.17)
Assist/Turnover Ratio - 3rd (0.80:1)
- Robin Taylor is 4th in scoring (12.5), 6th in free throw pct. (.756), assist/turnover ratio (1.16), 8th in assists (2.38), 3-pt field goals (1.25), 13th in 3-pt pct. (.280), rebounding (5.4) ...
- Katy Campbell is 1st in rebounding (8.9), 3rd in free throw pct. (.803), 4th in field goal pct. (.507), 6th in scoring (11.6), 13th in assists (2.13, T), 14th in blocked shots (0.42, T), 15th in assist/turnover ratio (0.73) ...
- Melissa Marek-Farris is 1st in blocked shots (2.54), field goal pct. (.544), 6th in rebounding (6.7), 10th in scoring (10.8), 13th in free throw pct. (.643) â?¦
- B.B. Gardner is 9th in assist/turnover ratio (1.04), 13th in assists (2.13, T) â?¦
- Jaime Hubka is 2nd in 3-pt pct. (.431), 11th in 3-pt field goals (1.17) â?¦
- Kristen Shielee is 2nd in blocked shots (1.44) ...
Click here for the latest NWC Statistics.
* Double-Doubles:
- Katy Campbell: Career 7, season 5 - 12 pts/13 reb at Puget Sound, 12/2; 15 pts/13 reb vs. Puget Sound, 1/27; 10 pts/10 reb vs. Pacific Lutheran, 2/16; 21 pts/14 reb vs. Lewis & Clark, 2/17; 19 pts/13 reb vs. Puget Sound, 2/24
- Melissa Marek-Farris: Career 4, season 4 - 15 pts/12 reb vs. Northwest, 11/18; 16 pts/11 reb vs. Bridgewater at Honolulu, Hawaii, 12/18; 10 pts/10 reb vs. Whitman, 1/5; 22 pts/14 reb vs. Pacific Lutheran, 2/16
- Robin Taylor: Career 2, season 2 - 13 pts/10 reb vs. Pacific, 2/10; 15 pts/12 reb vs. Puget Sound, 2/24
* Season/Career Lists: Marek-Farris Already 3rd in Career Blocks
- Robin Taylor entered the season with the 7th-best free throw pct. (.760, 114-150) in Bruin history. She is now at .758 (182-240), still 7th ... With 964 career points, she is 30 away from 10th on the all-time list (Darby Cave 994, 2000-04), and 46 from becoming the 10th Bruin with 1,000 for a career ...
- Katy Campbell now ranks 9th on the all-time free throw pct. list (.743, 127-171) ...
- Melissa Marek-Farris has 61 blocked shots this season, now the 6th-best total in a single season ... With 97 career blocks, she ranks 3rd all-time. It will take a while to catch the 2nd-place Bruin: Shawna Chandler had 188 (1982-85) ...
- Tiffany Behary now has 187 career assists and needs 7 to move into 10th all-time (Heather Gurney 193, 1987-91) ...
* Bruins vs. Ranked Teams (3-2):
Dec. 2 - defeated NCAA D-III #17 Puget Sound 58-50 in Tacoma, Wash.
Dec. 8 - lost to NAIA D-I #27 Montana State-Northern 55-72 in Lewiston, Idaho
Dec. 9 - lost to NAIA D-I #8 Lewis-Clark State 59-67 in Lewiston, Idaho
Dec. 18 - defeated NCAA D-III #16 Bridgewater 57-41 in Honolulu, Hawaii
Jan. 27 - defeated NCAA D-III #20 Puget Sound 64-62 in Newberg, Ore.