NEWBERG, Ore. -- The George Fox STUNT team returned home for the second annual Pacific Northwest Open, welcoming four teams from around the nation to Newberg. On day one of the tournament, Fox fought hard against NAIA No. 1 Hope International, losing 11-29, before bouncing back with a key win over D-III rival No. 3 Saint Mary's 23-22.

How It Happened
The Bruins, who entered the tournament No. 2 in the Division III rankings, started their home stand with a game against the number one ranked team in the NAIA in Hope International. The Bruins, who had totaled just one total point against the Royals in their three prior games against each other, quickly made an impact, gaining a point outright in the first quarter and trailing just 2-4 after one.

In the second quarter, the Bruins again showed they could compete, earning one point on routine two after getting within two points, and trailed 9-3 at half. Fox then won the first routine of the third quarter, routine three of jumps and tumbling, within two, and tied the next point. After three quarters, the Bruins trailed 14-7. Fox continued to build on the standout game against one of the top teams in the country, gaining four points in the fourth quarter in the 29-11 loss.

Hours later, the Bruins honored seven of their seniors before their second game against Saint Mary's. Jasmine Dalton, Makaylee Kuiken, Emma Reinke, Kennidy Outlaw, Kayla Hernandez, Flor Sanchez, and Katie Morgan. Those seven seniors saw the team come out strong against the No. 3 Belles. The Bruins won two of the four performances in the quarter, and took a 3-1 lead into the second quarter.

In the second, Fox won the first two routines before Saint Mary's fought back, winning the third within two. The Bruins finished on a strong note, taking the final routine of the half, routine two, outright, to take an 8-4 lead.

The third quarter would not be kind to the Bruins, as the Belles won all three points to make a game of it. Saint Mary's won the first routine outright before winning the next three within two to tie the game heading to the pivotal fourth quarter. 

In the fourth quarter, the Bruins eked by in the first point, winning 5-4 on routine one to take a 16-15 lead. Fox called routine two next, and again snuck by a point, winning 3-2 for the routine. Up by two, Saint Mary's fought back, as the teams tied on routine five. Up 21-19, the Bruins called routine three to finish the game. The Bruins won the opening partner stunts point to clinch the game, and though SMC would outscore them 3-1 to finish, when all was said and done, it was GFU on top, 23-22.

What It Means
Though the Bruins seven-game win streak was snapped with their loss to Hope International, they still picked up key points against one of the top teams in the country. Fox improved to 10-3 on the year, notching a program-record win total.

What Happens Next
The Bruins will be back on day two of the Pacific Northwest Open on March 14. Their first game is scheduled for 11:00 am against Texas Woman's University.