CLAREMONT, Calif. -- It wasn't always pretty, but the George Fox women's basketball team remained undefeated thanks to a strong defensive effort and a game-winning triple from Alyssa Wells as the Bruins took down Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 49-46.

How It Happened
It was an aggressive defensive game from the opening tip, with neither team grabbing a lead larger than five in the first stanza. Kylie Ritter and Isabella Arrisgado provided an instant spark off the bench, with Ritter scoring four and Arrisgado notching five. An Arrisgado layup put the Bruins up, 12-8, but five straight free throws from the Athenas tied the game up, 13-13.

The second quarter saw the game continue to grind, with only seven field goals made. While Fox held CMS to a 0-6 shooting performance from beyond the arc, the Bruins shot just 3-15 from the field to end the quarter. The bench play continued to stay strong, with Claire Hinds scoring four points to keep the game close, but a 7-2 run to end the half gave the Athenas a 24-19 halftime lead.

The floodgates opened slightly on the offensive side, with the Bruins storming back from a nine-point deficit, getting within one point several times. Hanne Hopkins came alive midway through the quarter, scoring or assisting on eight consecutive points to get the Bruins back in the game. Alyssa Wells' trey with 1:30 left were the final points of the third, with Fox trailing, 36-38.

Mia Skoro tied the game at 38 in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter, but the Bruins remained unable to snag the lead as the Athenas took a five-point lead with six minutes remaining. Hopkins found Alexa Borter for an and-one to cut the deficit to two but headed into crunch time with five minutes remaining, Fox was down, 43-45.

Wells came up big down the stretch for the Bruins, finally putting Fox ahead for the first time since the early second quarter. The senior cut to the hoop, finished through the contact, and drew an and-one to give Fox a 46-45 with 2:51 remaining. From there, both defenses locked back down — but with 24 seconds left, the Athenas' Renee Chong drew a foul, knocking down one to knot the game at 46.

With 24 seconds left, the Bruins played for the win. Holding onto the ball until five seconds remaining, Hopkins drove to the basket and kicked it out to Wells, who drained the open triple to give Fox the lead with two seconds left. As had been the case all game, the Fox defense forced another miss from deep — the Athenas did not hit a triple all game — giving the Bruins a gritty 49-46 victory.

Top Performers
Alyssa Wells not only gave the Bruins the victory but scored the last six points; Wells ended the game with a team-high 16 points and eight rebounds. Hanne Hopkins, meanwhile, put together another do-it-all match, finishing with eight points, seven rebounds, and six assists — none bigger than the last one. Despite her five-foot-five stature, Isabella Arrisgado pulled in eight rebounds as well to help the team.

The entire defensive unit put together one of the best performances of the season, holding the Athenas to 0-19 from deep; entering the game, CMS had shot 35% from the field. It was the first time the Bruins held a team without a three pointer since a holding Whitman to 0-9 from beyond the arc in February 2019.

What It Means
The Bruins continue their undefeated start, improving to 4-0 on the young season.CMS drops to 2-2 on the year.

What Happens Next
Fox doesn't have long to rest on their laurels, as they face the Athenas' rival Pomona-Pitzer (2-2) at 2:00 p.m.