NEWBERG, Ore. -- In their first game at Taylor Court this year. George Fox fought hard but came up short in a defensive contest against the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens, 56-51.

How It Happened
The Bruins played a controlled style of play in the first, as both teams struggled to find their offensive footing in the quarter. The Sagehens held an 8-2 lead before the Bruins went on an 8-3 run to close out the quarter- and cut the gap to one at 10-11. 

In the second quarter, Pomona-Pitzer found their shooting touch, while Fox pounded the paint and drew fouls as the teams played to a 15-15 draw in the period. The Bruins erased a Sagehens lead, coming from 24-18 to make it 26-25 Sagehens at the half. Fox went 5-8 from the free-throw line while shooting 45 percent from the field. 

The third was tougher for Fox, with turnovers and good shooting from the Sagehens expanding the Sagehens lead to 13 at one point, the largest lead of the game. Outside shooting marred the Bruins, as their only make from behind the arc would occur in the period with a Kylie Ritter triple. The Bruins went into the fourth down and needing a spark from somewhere. 

They found it from Emily Stephens. The senior scored six unanswered points bringing the Bruins back into the game. After two buckets from Ella Roberts, the Bruins were within one point, 51-52, at the 4:22 mark. After that, three minutes and 21 seconds of scoreless basketball ensued. With both teams playing stout defense, the dry spell was broken by a Sagehen triple. With one minute left, the Bruins couldn't find a way to answer and were forced to foul. Roberts' layup with 4:22 remaining would prove to be the final bucket of the day as Fox fell, 56-51. 

The Bruins were very efficient from inside the arc, which contributed to their 36% shooting percentage. Outside the arc, though, Fox struggled, shooting just 1-13 from deep. The Bruins out-rebounded the Sagehens 47-34, with an impressive 16 offensive rebounds, while their bench outscored Pomona-Pitzer, 13-9. However, a main difference in the game was turnovers; Fox committed 22 in the loss, as opposed to the Sagehens' 15.

Top Performances 
Guard Ella Roberts scored 15 points on 5-8 shooting from the field and 5-7 from the line, while Emily Stephens had 12 points and five steals. Jordan Ryan led the team in rebounds with 11, and Kylie Ritter was a spark off the bench in her first collegiate game, scoring five and pulling down six rebounds.

What It Means
The Bruins are 0-1 after dropping their first official game, while Pomona-Pitzer improves to 1-1.

What Comes Next
The Bruins play at home on Friday against UW-River Falls, their last home game before a lengthy eight-game road trip. Tipoff is at 6 pm at the Wheeler Sports Complex.