TACOMA, Wash. -- The George Fox women's basketball team had several chances to tie the game in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter, but ultimately came up just short against the Pacific Lutheran Lutes, falling in a thriller, 58-61.

How It Happened
It was a back-and-forth affair the entire first quarter, with neither team taking a lead larger than four points. Though Fox shot just 29% from the field in the period, the Bruins trailed by just two points, 12-14, thanks to a stout defense; the Bruins forced six turnovers in the period to keep the game tight.

It was a mirrored score in the second as Fox outscored the Lutes 14-12 as the game headed to halftime tied. After a frenzied 9-2 run that saw four different players (Alyssa Wells, Mia Skoro, Marissa Bartels, and Kylie Ritter) score in successive possessions, Fox jumped out to a 26-19 lead. That lead proved to be short-lived, as PLU stormed back in the final minutes, scoring with seconds remaining to knot the game at 26.

The Bruins needed a run of their own in the third quarter to get back in the game, as the Lutes came out of the locker room hot — after Fox took a 28-26 lead, PLU scored the next nine points to jump to a 35-28 advantage. Fox showed resilience in the closing minutes of the third, storming back to take a 46-43 lead thanks to back-to-back Bartels threes. 

The fourth quarter looked to be more of the same, with PLU once again jumping out to an early lead. The Lutes scored the first eight points of the period to put Fox on edge. With 4:12 remaining in the game, the Bruins trailed, 48-55; after cutting the deficit to four, Erin Yoshitake stepped up to the plate, nailing two free throws and converting a turnover to a lay-in to tie the game at 55. The very next play, however, Fox fouled PLU's Ava Edmonds, who knocked in two free throws of her own to give the Lutes a two-point lead. Seconds later, the lead doubled to four on a lay-up.

Following more free throws from Jenna Lacey: Fox had several chances to tie the game in the final 25 seconds: after a steal, Ella Roberts was sent to the line down two, but split the pair. Now down three with seven seconds left, Wells' triple came tantalizingly close to dropping, dancing around the rim several times before falling off the mark. Mia Skoro got one final look at a shot, but the sophomore's trey was blocked as the Bruins dropped the game, 58-61.

Top Performers
Alyssa Wells stuffed the stat sheet on the night, leading the team with 12 points, five rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Marissa Bartels had a standout from the field, tying her career-high with 10 points on 2-3 shooting from deep. Jenna Lacey and Erin Yoshitake rounded out the scoring leaders with nine points apiece.

What It Means
The Bruins fall to 1-9 (1-2 NWC) on the year, while the Lutes improve to 9-3 (1-2 NWC).

What Happens Next
Fox will look to rebound with a home game against the Pacific Boxers (6-5, 2-1 NWC).