NEWBERG, Ore. – After battling back from a 12-point deficit, the George Fox Bruins were unable to hold onto late leads in both the fourth quarter and in overtime against the Calvin Knights, falling 62-57 thanks to late-game heroics from Calvin's Katelyn LaRue.

How It Happened
Calvin jumped out in front of the Bruins in a big way in the first quarter — after just five minutes of action, George Fox trailed 14-3. Fox ended the quarter on an 8-4 run, closing the gap at the to seven points, with Alyssa Wells leading the way with six points.

The Bruins outscored the Knights in a low-scoring second quarter that saw just 18 points scored, as Fox used a combination of stout defense and free throw line chances than Calvin. After the second, Fox had trimmed the deficit to just five, trailing 21-26 at the break.

On the heels of their second quarter, GFU made an immediate run in the third quarter, opening up the half with a 6-1 run to tie the game at 27 with eight minutes left in the third. Fox would take the lead two minutes later after a Jenna Lacey bucket off an Erin Yoshitake assist. The game saw several ties throughout the rest of the quarter, neither team was able to grab a significant edge for the rest of the frame, with Calvin ending the quarterback on top, 41-40. 

Fox took the lead back early in the fourth. and was able to extend it out to six points multiple times; the Knights stormed back in the final minutes with vengeance to tie the game with one minute remaining. After a clutch Ella Roberts layup and Wells free throw, the Bruins led Calvin, 52-49, with eight seconds remaining. Katelyn LaRue was sure to spoil the Bruins's upset hopes, hitting a key three-pointer with five seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 52 and send the game to overtime. 

The game continued to be neck-and-neck throughout the entirety of the extra period, as neither team could lead by more than one possession until the very end. George Fox had a three-point lead with less than two minutes left in the game, but Calvin hit another big-time triple to tie the game, then got a bucket inside the paint with just 36 seconds left to take the 59-57 lead. Yoshitake missed a jumper with 20 seconds left, forcing the Bruins to foul Calvin in hopes of getting a timely rebound off a Calvin miss, but the Knights hit their free throws, as they closed out the game, 62-57. 

Top Performances
The Bruins had three players in double-digits: Erin Yoshitake led the team with 13, Ella Roberts had 12 and Alyssa Wells had 11. Kylie Ritter chipped in with a team-high 11 rebounds, while Yoshitake led the team with three assists.

What It Means
George Fox falls to 1-8 (1-1 NWC), and Calvin improves to 7-5.

What Comes Next
GFU travels north to play Pacific Lutheran in Tacoma, Wash. in the first game of the 2024 season. Tip off is scheduled for 6:00 pm.