NEWBERG, Ore. -- The George Fox STUNT team wrapped up their regular season with the final two games of the Pacific Northwest Open, dropping a pair of games to Division II teams in the Texas Woman's Pioneers and the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks.

How It Happened
The Bruins, who entered No. 2 in the national Division III  began the first quarter, winning the first point outright and taking the second within two to make the score 3-1 midway through. Neither team earned a point on routine five, and Texas Woman's won within two to close, but the Bruins were still up, 4-3, after one. The second period was a similar story. The Pioneers won the first point, but Fox bounced back to win the next two routines. At the half, the Bruins led, 7-5.

Unfortunately for Fox, that lead would be short-lived. The Pioneers had a successful third quarter, winning three of the four available points (with the third routine ending in a no score). This performance catapulted them to the lead, outpacing Fox, 8-7. Though the Bruins won the second routine of the fourth period, routine two, TWU won their other three, handing GFU a loss, 17-13.

The second game of the day — and final game of the regular season for the Bruins  — had a similar score, but played out differently. Against another D-II team, the No. 25 Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks, Fox was outscored in the first three calls of the game. After one, the Bruins trailed, 4-1.

The next two quarters saw Fox fight hard but stay behind those three points. In the second quarter, the two teams split the first point while neither scored the second. After splitting the final two routines, Fox still trailed, 6-3. The third quarter was similar, as the teams tied 3-3 in the period (GFU winning calls for routine two and four, while NNU won on one and five). Heading into the fourth, Fox was still down three, 9-6.

Fox called routine four to start the game, and the teams split, 1-1. With the Nighthawks winning the second performance of the quarter, routine two, the Bruins were nearly eliminated from contention. And after the squads split the next point, NNU had the game in hand. When all was said and done, Fox dropped the game, 17-12.

What It Means
Fox ends the Pacific Northwest Open with a 1-3 record, but the Bruins have a 10-5 record. With their one win over the No. 3 team in Division III, Saint Mary's, Fox should be safe for a spot in the Division III National Championships.

What Happens Next
The Bruins hope to defend their title in the Division III STUNT Championships in Nashville from April 23-25.