TACOMA, Wash. -- After 16 days since their last gameday, the George Fox women's basketball team started 2026 on a high note, downing Pacific Lutheran, 66-55.

How It Happened
Fox started the first quarter behind, as the Lutes began the game with six points from Sydney Reisner. The Bruins struck back quickly, though, as Kylie Ritter knocked in a pair of free throws before Mia Skoro made a quick layup off of a pass from Sophia Hardy. 

Fox was still behind, 8-4, but continued to fight — Bella Arrisgado and Hanne Hopkins each made a jump-shot within roughly the same minute. Although PLU would end the quarter with the lead, it was the Bruins who ended the first with the momentum. Fox trailed, 17-12, before Skoro made a free throw and Maddie Schumacher had a solid driving layup in the last minute. Then, with six seconds left, Ritter finished the first quarter with a jumper — getting the Bruins within three points, 19-16.

Paige Macduff made a jump shot right as the second quarter started to keep that momentum alive. PLU attempted to shoot ahead, but Fox kept them close as Hopkins made a jumper and Macduff came in strong with a hook shot to keep the game within four.

At the five-minute mark, Fox eventually pulled even with the Lutes as Tara Ushiro nailed a smooth layup, tying the score at 26, before Hardy scored, giving the Bruins their first lead, 28-26. In the last minutes of the period, the Lutes passed GFU up again, but Fox ended the half strong with Hardy hitting a pair from the charity stripe, knotting the game at 30 to end the first half. Reisner was the story for PLU, scoring 19 points herself in the first period.

While Ritter and Hopkins started the second half with two points apiece, the game was back-and-forth in the opening stages of the period. It was after the media timeout that the Bruins took control. Fox went on an extended 11-3 run, including a triple from Skoro and four points from Hopkins to give the Bruins a 47-39 lead after three. In addition, the Bruins locked down Reisner; after 19 first-half points, the senior had just one point in the third —a free throw that would end up being her only point of the half.

The Bruins were determined to keep their leading spot as Skoro made a powerful hook shot. Then, it was Ushiro's turn to take over; after dealing with foul trouble all day, the junior made two consecutive three-pointers, turning a close 51-48 game on its head, 57-48.

Ritter and Hopkins were on fire in the final two minutes: Ritter scored yet another jump shot and shortly after earned her 13th rebound of the game. Hopkins, meanwhile, made several jumpers as well to put the game out of reach, 64-48. When all was said and done, the Bruins earned their second Northwest Conference win of the season, downing the Lutes, 66-55.

Top Performances
Hanne Hopkins scored 20 points for the night, totalling four rebounds, two assists, and making five of her seven free throws. Mia Skoro ended with 12 points and five rebounds, while Kylie Ritter had 10 points to go alongside a season-high 13 rebounds. Tara Ushiro, while Paige Macduff made six points and seven rebounds. In addition, Addison Dippel earned her first collegiate minutes, giving key defensive effort in the final three minutes of the first half.

Coach's Thoughts
"It was a good team win," Bruin head coach Lauren Howard said, "We saw some really great things from everyone who played and are looking forward to building off of it tomorrow."

What It Means
George Fox rises to a 6-5 overall record (2-0 NWC), while Pacific Lutheran falls to a 1-9 overall record (0-1 NWC). 

What Comes Next
The Bruins will continue the new year with their next game against the Puget Sound Loggers (8-2, 1-0 NWC) on Saturday, January 3. The game is scheduled for a 3:00 pm tip-off.