Press Release
3/2 - GEORGE FOX 61, GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS 47: Bruins Blow Past Gusties to Set Up All-NWC Finale
NEWBERG, Ore. - As if they haven't played each other enough times already â?¦
Led by Robin Taylor's 20 points, the George Fox University Bruins set up an all-Northwest Conference regional title game Saturday with the University of Puget Sound by blowing past the Gustavus Adolphus College Gusties 61-47 in the second game of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Newberg Regional Friday night here at GFU's Wheeler Sports Center/Miller Gym.
George Fox, ranked 24th in the latest WBCA coaches' poll, improved to 19-6, while Gustavus Adolphus, ranked 23rd, ended its season at 22-6. The Bruins will meet the UPS Loggers, who upset 12th-ranked McMurry University 69-57 in the first game, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. for the regional title and the right to advance to a four-team sectional next weekend. It will be the fourth time the NWC co-champions have met this season, with the Bruins winning all three previous engagements, twice in the regular season and once in the NWC Tournament championship game.
Jaime Hubka hit a three-pointer to open the game for the Bruins, and the Gusties' Bri Monahan answered with a three, but it was the only tie of the game. Katy Campbell's three put the Bruins in front for good with 17:46 left in the half, and the Bruins stretched it to double figures at 25-15 with 6:26 left on a jumper by Taylor, who had 13 in the half. A trey by Taylor made it 36-19 with 3:53 left, and no one scored the rest of the half.
An 8-3 run to open the second half enabled the Bruins to double the Gusties' score at one point, 44-22, on a pair of free throws by B.B. Gardner with 16:48 left. The Bruins remained in front by double digits the rest of the way, except for one moment with three minutes left when Katie Layman's jumper cut the gap to 54-45. The Bruins responded with two free throws by Melissa Marek-Farris, a three-pointer by Tiffany Behary, and then a free throw by Behary, and the lead was back up to 15 with a minute to play.
Taylor's 20 were a game-high sum and moved her within 16 points of 1,000 for her career with 984. Behary added 12 off the bench. Katy Campbell nearly posted a triple-double, finishing with nine points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. With Marek-Farris also grabbing 11 boards, the Bruins held a significant edge in rebounds, 39-27. Marek-Farris also blocked four shots, and Taylor had four steals. George Fox shot 40.9 percent (18-44) from the field and 66.7 percent (18-27) from the line.
The Gusties were led by Monahan with 15 points and eight rebounds, and Jess Vadnais added 14 points. Brianna Radtke passed out four assists. Gustavus shot 34.0 percent (18-53), but only went to the line 10 times, making seven.