PORTLAND, Ore. - The Puget Sound Loggers moved into sole possession of second place in the Northwest Conference by defeating the Lewis & Clark Pioneers, 58-47, in a NWC women's basketball game on Friday night in Portland, Ore.

The Loggers took the initial lead 1:11 into the game when Claire Ely (Walnut Creek, Calif./Northgate) hit a jumper and UPS never looked back.  Lewis & Clark got within one point with 3:10 remaining in the first half but a 7-0 Logger run to end the half game UPS an eight-point halftime lead, 28-20.

In the second half, the Loggers pulled away, building a double-digit lead just 50 seconds in on a lay-up in the paint by freshman Jocelyn Riordan (Lake Forest Park, Wash./Shorecrest).  The lead grew to as many as 19 points midway through the period and despite a late L&C push, the Loggers collected the 58-47 victory.  With the combination of the Logger win and losses by both Whitworth and Whitman, the Loggers take over sole possession of second place in the NWC standings.

The Loggers were led by 11 points apiece from Ely and Natasha Ludwig (Hilo, Hawaii/Waiakea).  Ludwig also added a game-high eight rebounds in the win.  The Loggers used 19 points off L&C turnovers and 16 points off the bench to collect the win.

Lewis & Clark was led by 16 points from Christina Herring, the only Pio in double-digit scoring.  L&C outscored the Loggers, 22-12, in the pain but made just nine-of-31 attempts from the field in the second half for 29.0%.

The Loggers continued the road trip on Saturday night when they travel to Linfield. Tip-off with the Wildcats is set for 6:00 p.m. in McMinnville, Ore.

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