Jan. 4, 2008

Conference Favorite George Fox Defeats Lutes, 64-40

Box Score

Kyle Haag - 14 points

NEWBERG, Ore. – George Fox, picked by Northwest Conference coaches to win its fifth league title in nine years, got off to a strong start with a 64-40 women's basketball victory over Pacific Lutheran on Friday night at Wheeler Sports Center's Miller Gym.

The 18th-ranked Bruins opened up a double-digit lead nine minutes into the game and remaining comfortably ahead the rest of the way. Although they never trailed, the Bruins were tied by the Lutes three times in the first two minutes before Katy Campbell nailed a three-pointer at the 17:31 mark, giving the hosts a 9-6 lead that they never relinquished. Another three, this one by Jaime Hubka, made it 17-6 Bruins with 11:53 left in the period. The Lutes twice got back within eight, but a pair of free throws by Elise Kuenzi made it 23-13 with 8:07 left, putting the Bruins permanently in front by double figures. The score was 29-17 at the break.

The Bruins opened the second half with a 19-5 run, capped by a Kaleigha Ramey jumper, to take a 26-point lead, their largest of the game, at 48-22 with 12:20 left. The Lutes got no closer than 19 points thereafter.

Ramey was the only Bruin to reach double figures in points with 12, but Hubka and Tiffany Behary had nine each as 10 different players scored for the home team. The Bruins shot .469 (23-for-49) for the game, including .522 (12-for-23) in the second half. Campbell grabbed 11 rebounds in leading the Bruins to a 43-29 advantage on the boards. B.B. Gardner passed out five assists and the Bruins blocked six shots.

Kyle Haag scored 14 points for the Lutes, who were held to a .254 (15-for-59) shooting percentage. Meghan Dowling had six rebounds for the Lutes.

George Fox (9-1, NWC 1-0) hosts the 23rd-ranked University of Puget Sound in a battle of 2007 conference co-champions at 6 p.m. Saturday, while Pacific Lutheran (7-3, NWC 0-1) visits Lewis & Clark College, also at 6 p.m. Saturday.

(Courtesy of George Fox Sports Information Office)