Box Score PORTLAND, Ore. --- No. 6-ranked George Fox University's women's basketball team fought past its conference rival Saturday afternoon when the Bruins defeated Lewis & Clark, 63-43.
George Fox didn't get the offensive start it was looking for in the first, as the Bruins had a hard time finding the bottom of the net. They finished the half shooting 22.9 percent from the field, while the Pioneers were able to capitalize shooting 42.9 percent. Although the Bruins played excellent defense and forced 14 turnovers, they went into the half down by one, 22-21. Northwest Conference Student Athlete of the Week Justine Benner led the Bruins at the break, as she scored 11 of the 21 points.
It was the first time the Bruins trailed a Northwest Conference opponent at halftime this season.
The first half woes went to the wasteland in the second when the Bruins came out red hot shooting 100 percent from the 3-point line (3-for-3) and 71.4 percent from the field (5-for-7). After trailing the Pioneers by one point at the break, the Bruins turned the score around rather quickly taking an 11-point lead, 37-26, after four minutes of play.
The lead increased to 20, 55-35, after 14 minutes of play as the Bruins held the Pioneers to just 13 points in that timespan. The suffocating defense caused a lot of problems for the host team as the Pioneers coughed up 27 total turnovers.
Although it wasn't a great shooting night for the Bruins they managed to find the basket in the second half doubling their shooting percentage to 46.9 percent from the field.
Benner was magnificent going 10-for-16 from the field finishing with 21 points. She also added seven rebounds to her performance. Sammy Naluai got in on the action with 12 points, while Jami Morris added 11.
The Bruins out-scored the Pioneers 42-21 in the second half.
George Fox improves to 17-0 on the season and 8-0 in the Northwest Conference.
The Bruins will travel to No. 22 Puget Sound next Friday on January 30th at 6:00 p.m. The last time the two teams met the Bruins defeated the Loggers 77-55.
