Press Release
11/17 - GEORGE FOX 58, OREGON TECH 44: Bruins Lead Throughout in Taking Opener from Owls
NEWBERG, Ore. - Racing out to an early 10-0 lead and never trailing again, the George Fox University Bruins opened their 2006-07 season with a 58-44 victory over the Oregon Institute of Technology Hustlin' Owls in a non-conference women's basketball game Friday night here at the Wheeler Sports Center's Miller Gym.
It took over two minutes for anyone to score, Melissa Marek-Farris putting back an errant George Fox shot with 17:49 left in the period to ignite the Bruins' 10-0 run. Marek-Farris hit another rebound basket for the Bruins' largest lead of the half at 14-2 en route to 10 first-half points. The Owls' Lindsey Carmicheal hit a three with 21 seconds left, giving her nine in the half, and Jenna Ball canned a jumper with a second to go to slice the Bruins' lead to 26-21 at the intermission.
Oregon Tech cut the lead to two points when Carmichael hit a three to open the second half, but it was the last points she would score as the Bruin defense clamped down and the offense opened up. The Bruins hit a sizzling 60% from the floor in the final period and out-scored the Owls 18-7 in the final 8:42, with Elise Kuenzi hitting six of her seven second-half points in that stretch to spark the outburst. The Bruins took their biggest lead of 16 points at 57-41 on a three-pointer from the top of the key by B.B. Gardner with 1:23 to play.
Marek-Farris led all scorers with 14 points, hitting 5-6 from the field, and Katy Campbell had 12. Robin Taylor had a game-high nine rebounds, leading the Bruins to a 39-34 advantage on the boards, and four assists. George Fox shot 46.7% for the game (21-45) while holding Oregon Tech to 27.1% (16-59).
Carmichael had 12 points and Cora McVey 10 to lead the Owls, who saw their three-game winning streak snapped. McVey had a team-high six rebounds.
Both teams are back in non-conference action Saturday at 6 p.m., George Fox (1-0) hosting Northwest University and Oregon Tech (4-2) visiting Linfield College.