NEWBERG, Ore. --- Using a balanced mix of suffocating defense and dynamic offense, the George Fox women's basketball team played the No. 17-ranked Puget Sound Loggers to perfection, winning 72-49 on Friday night at Taylor Court.

How It Happened

After Katie Minnehan converted a layup with 8:29 remaining in the first quarter, the Bruin defense put their foot down. The Loggers did not make a basket for the next 14 minutes of game time. In the first quarter alone, Fox held their opponents to 10% shooting from the field, taking a 14-3 lead.

The second quarter began with more of the same as the Bruins jumped out to a 23-5 lead. Cassidy Posey was the driving force in the period, scoring six points; her final buzzer-beating layup gave Fox a 31-16 halftime advantage. Puget Sound shot 21% in the half, including 17% from behind the arc and 44% from the charity stripe.

After a first half controlled by defense, the third quarter was all offense; the offenses combined for 47 points in the quarter. The Bruins shot 47% in the quarter and hit four triples, all by different players. Erin Yoshitake's tough and-one and three-pointer kept the charging Logger offense at bay as Fox's lead extended to 18.

After a third where they made half of their triples, the Loggers went ice cold from deep, shooting 0-5, as the Bruins pulled away. Seven different Bruins scored in the period as they took down the No. 17-ranked team in the country by 22.

Top Performances

Yoshitake scored a game-high 12 points in just 14 minutes as a reserve and was joined in double figures by Ella Roberts (11), Posey (10), and Jordan Ryan (10). Jenna Lacey also helped fill up the box score with a game-high nine boards and eight points. 

Coach's Thoughts

"We played excellent defense in the first quarter which set the tone for the entire game," coach Michael Coppolino said after the game. "If we can build off this next week, we should have a very exciting month in February!"

What It Means

George Fox's first back-to-back wins since November improve their record to 7-9 overall, with a 3-4 NWC mark.

Up Next

With their Saturday contest at Pacific postponed to February 15 due to COVID protocols, the Bruin women's next matchup will be an away tilt at Lewis & Clark before returning home to face the Linfield Wildcats on Wednesday, February 2. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.