TACOMA, Wash. -- The George Fox Women's basketball team kept their Conference tournament hopes alive with a commanding win over the Pacific Lutheran University Lutes, 50-32, to start a stretch of must-win games.

How It Happened
After a low-scoring first quarter, with both teams getting off to a slow start, the Bruins found themselves up by two points going into the second, 10-8. Neither team shot well, with PLU shooting 4-11 and the Bruins 3-10.

Fox dominated the second frame, ramping up the shooting by going 53% from the field and cashing in four three-pointers, as they exploded for 20 points in the frame. The Bruins opened up the quarter with a 13-2 run and held the Lutes to just two made field goals and seven points total as they went up, 23-10. The quarter was GFU's best in the game, and while they would have won even if the second frame was removed from the game, it gave Fox the resounding victory that they needed.

In the second half, the Bruins' shooting cooled off but their defense did not — they held PLU to a dismal 25% from the field, negating any cold streak that the Bruins had on offense. Fox took their largest lead of the night on an Alyssa Wells triple midway through the third quarter to go up 21 points, 41-20. The score wouldn't get much closer than that for the rest of the night, as both teams scored six points apiece in the fourth frame for the final score game of 50-32.

Top Performers
Alyssa Wells drilled four triples en route to scoring a game-high 13 points, while Claire Hinds and Ella Roberts each scored eight points, with Roberts dishing out two assists as well. Alexa Borter snagged 11 rebounds and scored six points.

What It Means
The Bruins improve to 9-11 (6-5 NWC) and sit fifth in the NWC rankings, just one spot out of the conference tournament rankings. PLU falls to 1-19 (1-10).

What Comes Next
Fox stays in Tacoma on Saturday as they play the #20 Puget Sound Loggers in a crucial game for GFU's Conference Tournament hopes. Tip-off is at 4 pm.