TACOMA, Wash. - Moving ever closer to securing a home playoff game in the Northwest Conference tournament, the Puget Sound Loggers defeated the Whitworth Pirates, 54-46, in a NWC women's basketball game on Friday night at Memorial Fieldhouse in Tacoma, Wash.

In the first half, the Loggers jumped out to the 10 point lead midway through the period, using a jumper from Jocelyn Riordan (Lake Forest Park, Wash./Shorecrest) to take a 17-7 lead. The Loggers continued to slowly build the lead, pushing the advantage to 15 points, 34-19, heading into the halftime break.

After halftime, the Pirates slowly started to come back, pulling within 10 points on a jumper by Kim Bluff with 12:09 remaining and getting as close as three points with 5:24 left. The Loggers didn't want to see a repeat of their earlier season contest with Whitworth, outscoring the Bucs, 7-2 over the final five minutes of the game to collect the 54-46 win.

The Loggers were led by 15 points from Riordan. Claire Ely (Walnut Creek, Calif./Northgate) collected 12 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals. Karen Chase (Yakima, Wash./West Valley) scored 11 points to put here career total at 991 points.

Whitworth was led by 11 points from Liz Horiatis. Cassie Pilkinton added nine points in the losing effort.

The Loggers conclude the home portion of their regular seasons schedule on Saturday afternoon when they play host to Whitman. Tip-off with the Missionaries is set for 4:00 p.m. at Memorial Fieldhouse in Tacoma, Wash.

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