TACOMA, Wash. -- The George Fox women's basketball team shot out of the gate in the first quarter, but couldn't keep the momentum up in their 51-61 loss to the 20th-ranked Puget Sound Loggers.

How It Happened
Fox came out determined in the first, hitting three triples in the first three minutes as the Bruins bounced out to a 13-3 lead over the top-ranked NWC team. Six different players scored as the women took a 20-13 advantage into the second. The 20-point first quarter outburst was the highest-scoring first period for the Bruins since they put up 23 against Pacific Lutheran in February 2022.

Though the Loggers inched closer throughout the second, Fox never trailed in the quarter, taking a 33-27 lead to the halftime locker room. Erin Yoshitake came alive, scoring eight points, including the final two treys of the quarter to keep the Loggers at bay.

The third quarter proved to be the turning point of the game, as the Loggers outscored the Bruins women 17-6 to wrestle away the lead. Fox led by as many as eight points after a Claire Hinds layup, before Puget Sound embarked on a 15-0 run. Jenna Lacey broke a six-minute scoreless streak before the Loggers' Katie Minnehan hit a buzzer-beating driving layup to give UPS a five-point lead.

The Bruins were ust out of reach for the entirety of the fourth quarter, one possession behind for most of the quarter. A Yoshitake shot from behind the arc got Fox within one, 47-48, but they got no closer. The Loggers ended the day on a 9-1 run to hand the Bruin women a 51-61 loss.

Top Performers
Yoshitake had one of the best statistical performances in her career, shooting 7-19 from the field and 5-12 from deep to lead the Bruins with 19 points on the night. The junior also led the way with eight rebounds — a career-high mark for the guard — while dishing out six assists. Lacey and Ella Roberts were next up with nine points apiece, while Emily Stephens pulled down seven rebounds.
 
What It Means
The Bruins fall to 9-12 (6-6 NWC) while Puget Sound remains atop the conference with their 18-3 record (11-1 NWC).

What Comes Next
The Bruins will conclude the season with four consecutive games at Wheeler Sports Center. Their first game of the home stand is against the Whitworth Pirates on Friday, Feb. 10. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 pm.