Holding defending NCAA Division III runner-up George Fox to 16 percent first-half shooting had the University of Puget Sound women’s basketball team thinking upset in Newberg, Ore.
Then the Bruins got hot from behind the 3-point line – and rallied for a 63-57 Northwest Conference victory.
Jami Roos led the comeback by sinking four of the five 3-pointers for George Fox, which trailed 25-21 at halftime in a home gymnasium where they rarely lose.
Three of Roos’ long-range baskets came in a 72-second span early in the second half to give the Bruins a 35-30 lead.
Her final 3-pointer extended George Fox’s lead to 51-39 with 6:23 left.
The Loggers (10-6, 3-4 NWC) went on a 10-3 run, capped by Olivia Roberts’ 3-pointer, to cut it to 55-49 with 3:55 to go. But George Fox made six free throws down the stretch to sew up the win.
Kelsey McKinnis led the Loggers with 10 points. Roberts added nine, and Sarah Stewart added eight points and 10 rebounds.
At Lewis & Clark 68, Pacific Lutheran 37: The Lutes had their three-game winning streak snapped by the No. 9 Pioneers as Sara Villanueva led all scorers with 16 points for the conference leaders in Portland.
Samantha Potter led the Lutes (6-8, 3-4) with 12 points. Sarah Abdo and Megan Abdo added seven points apiece.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
At Lewis & Clark 71, PLU 59: After holding a halftime lead, the Lutes scored just 22 points in the second half, and lost on the road in Portland.
Andrew Earnest hit a 3-pointer in the final seconds of the first half to give the Lutes (4-12, 2-5) a 37-33 halftime lead. But Lewis & Clark came out and scored the first eight points of the second half, and never looked back.
At George Fox 77, UPS 74: The Bruins took the lead for good early in the second half in defeating the Loggers (6-10, 1-6) in Newberg.
Two free throws by Dan Cheledinas cut the George Fox lead to 69-67 with 1:18 to go, but the Bruins’ Anthony Sanchez sank a 3-pointer 26 seconds later to doom the Loggers.
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