TACOMA, Wash. — The George Fox women's basketball team wrapped up their 2025 regular season campaign with yet another win, clinching the second seed in the NWC tournament, their best finish since 2019, after their victory over the Puget Sound Loggers, 71-61. 

How it Happened
Puget Sound got off to a fast start, dropping seven points in the first two minutes to take the early lead. It didn't take the Bruins long to find their feet, however, led by Alexa Borter and Alyssa Wells — the pair combining for six points and a triple to level the scores. Fox took this momentum and ran with this, dominating the second half of the period. The Bruins outscored the Loggers 14-4 in the final five minutes, with five different players scoring to give them a solid lead at the end of the period, 23-15.

The two teams traded buckets back-and-forth to open the second period, before Kylie Ritter, Tara Ushiro and Mia Skoro went on a seven point run to stretch Fox's lead to 14 points. Neither team was lethal from the floor, but both were perfect from the free throw line, capitalizing on every opportunity at the stripe. Headed into halftime, the Bruins were still well ahead, 36-24.

Fox regained their offensive rhythm coming out of halftime, shooting 7-12 from the floor in the third quarter. The first five minutes of play saw the two teams trade baskets, with neither team able to create significant separation. broke the deadlock with a six-point surge midway through the period—Bella Arrisgado sparked the run with a smooth turnaround jumper, before Claire Hinds broke through the defense for a layup, and Arrisgado nailed a pull-up shot, extending Fox's lead to 53-37. Puget Sound refused to back down, responding with a six-point run of their own to close the quarter, cutting the Bruins' advantage to 10 as they entered the final period.

Puget Sound kept applying offensive pressure in the final quarter, but Fox refused to allow them to mount a proper comeback. Tara Ushiro opened the scoring for Fox with a triple, which was immediately matched by the Loggers, setting the tone for another back-and-forth period. The Bruins sealed the deal when they capitalized on several Logger fouls in the final minute, making six straight free throws to put Puget Sound away and secure a win in their final regular season game, 71-61.

Top Performances
Hanne Hopkins led the way for Fox with 13 points, going 7-9 from the free throw line while also notching two assists. Alexa Borter impressed in a well-rounded display, ending the night with 12 points, six rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Alyssa Wells and Mia Skoro each finished with 10 points to round out the double digit performances. Wells was lethal at both ends of the court, collecting six rebounds at each basket.

What It Means
With the win, the Bruins clinched second place in the NWC standings with an 19-6 record (11-5 NWC), while Puget Sound fell to 11-14 (10-6 NWC).

What It Means
The Bruins will now travel to Walla Walla, Wash. for a rematch against No. 3 Puget Sound in the semi final match of the NWC Tournament. Tip off is set for 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28.