BELTON, Texas -- The George Fox women's basketball team challenged the 15th-ranked team in the nation in East Texas Baptist, staying within striking distance throughout a back-and-forth battle but ultimately falling short, 52–46.
How It Happened
The Bruins came out hot against East Texas Baptist University, the number 15 ranked team in the country in the WBCA poll.
Sophia Hardy was able to break away from defenders, stealing the first two points of the game for George Fox.
Mia Skoro followed up with a layup, putting George Fox up 4–0 for an early lead.
Hanne Hopkins and
Paige Macduff piled on with jumpers, giving George Fox a relentless eight-point lead to start the matchup.
The Tigers began to chip away at the deficit.
Tara Ushiro added a point to the Bruins' total with a single free throw, while
Kylie Ritter was able to add on another two points for the Bruins — but ETBU was able to find eight, raising the score 11–8 at the end of the first quarter.
The Tigers were quick to show why they are ranked 15th in the nation, overtaking the Bruins early in the second quarter after a massive first-quarter deficit, 12–11, with a jumper.
Kylie Ritter was fouled on a jumper, taking back two points and earning a free throw opportunity. Ritter missed the free shot but came back seconds later to add another two points to the board for George Fox.
Shots from outside the arc added up quickly for ETBU, leaving the Bruins with an 11-point deficit, 26–15, after a 17-4 period in favor of the Tigers.
Skoro kick-started the scoring in the third quarter for the Bruins with a jumper. Hopkins shot from outside the arc, tacking on three points for George Fox. The Bruins wouldn't let up. Skoro drove to the hoop again to close the gap by two more points. Hardy showed off her speed with a steal, taking the ball back from the Tigers and breaking away from defenders to produce a layup.
A triple made by
Bella Arrisgado finally broke the ten-point deficit, leaving the score 35–28, leaving only seven points for the Bruins to take back. Macduff sneaks into the key for a layup, cutting ETBU's lead to only five points. The Tigers were able to take four points back, leading 39–30 going into the final ten minutes of play.
Macduff was eager to get to work again, starting the quarter off for the Bruins with a jumper. Macduff attacked again, driving to the basket to make the jumper and draw the foul, bringing the shrinking gap back down to five points for the second time. Hopkins was allowed a free throw opportunity, taking full advantage and taking back both possible points.
Arrisgado threw up a triple once again, making the basket and decreasing the gap to a meager four points with five minutes left on the clock. Skoro follows up with a shot of her own from outside the arc, decreasing ETBU's lead to a penny, 43-42.
The final minutes consisted of a battle for control. Ritter was able to spin around her defender to score a last-minute layup. ETBU continued to gain ground, increasing the lead to six points once again. Hopkins came out of the huddle hot, making a jumper in the final ten seconds to further chip away at the Tigers' lead.
George Fox had the final possession, but the candle had already burned too low, and the final buzzer sounded before the Bruins were able to fire off a shot, leaving the scoreboard showing 52–46 in favor of the Tigers.
Top Performances
Hanne Hopkins and
Mia Skoro lead the Bruins with nine points, respectively.
Paige Macduff and
Kylie Ritter each amassed eight. Despite her 5-5 stature,
Bella Arrisgado led George Fox in rebounds with six, followed by Hopkins with five,
Sophia Hardy with four, and Skoro with three. Hopkins also led in assists with four.
Tara Ushiro, Skoro, and Arrisgado each had two, respectively. Skoro also led the team in steals, giving the Tigers a run for their money with four throughout the matchup.
What It Means
George Fox adds a loss to their record, now 5-4 overall, but maintains their 1-0 record in conference. East Texas Baptist advances to 10-1 overall.
What Comes Next
The Bruins will face off against Howard Payne on Wednesday, December 17 at 10 a.m.
