Loggers Advance in NCAA DIII Playoffs by Beating Bruins, 51-48

The fourth time proved to be the charm.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

NEWBERG - The fourth time proved to be the charm.

After going 0-3 against the George Fox University Bruins in their previous meetings this season, the University of Puget Sound Loggers gained a measure of revenge over their Northwest Conference counterparts with a hard-fought 51-48 victory in the title game of the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Newberg Regional Saturday night at GFU’s Wheeler Sports Center/Miller Gym.

Puget Sound improved to 23-6 and, with two wins over ranked opponents, advances to one of four four-team sectionals March 9th-10th, site and opponent to be determined.

The Loggers had reached the regional final with a 69-57 win Friday over 12th-ranked McMurry University.

George Fox, ranked 24th, had defeated 23rd-ranked Gustavus Adolphus College 61-47 Friday, but saw its season end Saturday at 19-7.

The game was a tight one throughout, neither team ever leading by more than seven points.

Robin Taylor’s three-pointer got the Bruins off on a 7-2 start before the Loggers rallied for a 7-7 tie on a putback by Karen Chase.

Another three and two free throws by Taylor made it 12-7 Bruins, but again the Loggers bounced back and took their first lead at 17-15 on a trey by Allison Craven with 6:23 left in the half.

Another rebound basket by Brie Adderley gave the Loggers a 28-26 lead at the break.

Baskets by Laura Hirsh and Marissa Cain, the latter on yet another of the Loggers’ 15 offensive rebounds, pushed the Puget Sound lead to six at 32-26, and they maintained a lead for most of the half but were never able to pull away.

George Fox took its only lead of the half 38-37 with 12 minutes remaining on another three by Taylor which put her over the 1,000-point mark in her career, but UPS regained the lead for good on a jumper by Chase with 11:14 to go.

Puget Sound stretched its lead to seven at 47-40 on a three-pointer by Hirsh with 4:38 left, but the Bruins went on a 6-1 spurt, capped by a Taylor layup, to cut the gap to 48-46 with 22 seconds left.

The Bruins immediately fouled, but Shelby Ramirez hit two free throws to make it 50-46 with 19 ticks left.

Taylor again drove for two with 13 seconds to go and the Bruins fouled Hirsh, who missed a one-and-one with sxi seconds left, but Cain grabbed the rebound.

Morgan Harter hit a free throw with 0.9 left for the final margin, and Harter intercepted the Bruins’ desperation downcourt pass as time expired.

Hirsh had 11 points and Chase posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards to lead the Loggers.

Craven and Ramirez had two assists apiece.

Puget Sound shot 35.1% (20-57) from the field and only 40% (6-15) from the line, but out-rebounded the Bruins 37-33, and committed only 16 turnovers to 23 for the home team.

Taylor, the Bruins’ only senior, was the only Bruin in double figures with 22 points, ending her career with 1,006. She is the 10th player in team history to reach that mark.

Katy Campbell was the top rebounder with eight, and Taylor had four assists.

The Bruins shot 38.6% (1-744) and 87.5% (7-8) from the line.

The lack of free throws came as Puget Sound was called for only nine fouls, and did not commit a foul in the second half until there was 2:30 left in the game

Adding comments to these stories has been disabled. View the current sports stories Salem-News Sports