Box Score TACOMA, Wash. --- The No. 2/3-ranked George Fox women's basketball team went down to the wire Friday night, as the Lutes of Pacific Lutheran looked to upset the top-ranked team in an exhilarating game. The Bruins came away with a 62-60 victory to improve to 20-0 on the season.
Recap:
The game started out like any other for the Bruins, as both teams tested the waters and traded baskets back and forth. In fact, the score was tied four times during the opening quarter of play. In the start of the second quarter, the game recorded its fifth tie, but the Lutes would open up the scoring with an 8-3 run to take a six point lead, 23-17.
The Bruins managed to contain the deficit and bring it back within one after Tavin Headings drilled a triple at the 1:45 mark, 25-24. When the horn sounded and both teams went into the break for half, both teams were unable to score more than 30 points. The Lutes took the advantage at half with a one point lead, 27-26.
The Bruins jumped out to a strong start in the third quarter with seven straight points to take a six point edge, 33-27. The Lutes regained the lead two minutes later, and the sixth tie of the game came at the 2:16 mark when Lute' Kaelyn Voss hit a jumper, 43-43. Anjenae Torregano knocked down a deep three 30 seconds later, but the Lutes responded with a free throw and layup to knot the game, 46-46, to end the third quarter.
The fourth quarter was electrifying, as the crowd witnessed both teams duke it out and trade baskets, but it was always the Lutes maintaining the lead. It wasn't until 2:38 was left on the game clock that the Bruins forced the eighth tie of the game after Justine Benner made a nice move in the paint, 57-57.
Sammy Naluai made a pair at the free throw line to give the Bruins a two point advantage, 59-57, but the Lutes responded with a three with 36 seconds left in the game, 60-59. The Bruins wasted no time, finding Justine Benner in the paint, who made a nice move and banked one off the glass to give the Bruins a one point lead, 61-60. The Lutes had a chance to win the game, but a layup would miss wide, and Nicole Blizzard would head to the free throw line on the next play with three seconds left. Blizzard went 1-2 on the line, and with the second free throw missing, prompted the clock and the gme.
Top Performers:
Benner was the top scorer for the Bruins with 16 points and eight rebounds. Naluai added 10 points to her 36 minutes of play and four steals. Both Kim Frost and Kaitlin Jamieson finished with eight apiece.
What It Means:
With the win, the Bruins improve to 20-0 on the season and 11-0 in the Northwest Conference. Head Coach Michael Meek earned his 150th victory with tonight's win and is now 150-20 in his six seasons at George Fox.
What Comes Next:
The Bruins will have little rest as they host Lewis & Clark on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 4:00 p.m.
