McMINNVILLE, Ore. - Down eight points with 52 seconds left to
play, the Puget Sound Loggers mounted a comeback for the ages,
overcoming the feisty Linfield Wildcats, 62-61, in a Northwest
Conference women's basketball game on Sunday afternoon in
McMinnville, Ore.
The Loggers took the original lead just 16 seconds into the game
on a jumper by freshman Kelsey McKinnis (Ashland, Ore.) but it
didn't take long for the host Wildcats to take control of the game
as Linfield was able to build a seven-point lead with 14:53 left to
play in the first half. The Loggers tried to fight their way
back into the lead but the 'Cats wouldn't relent as Linfield took a
35-32 lead into the halftime break.
In the second half, the Wildcats continued to hold the lead,
pushing the lead to double digits at 53-43 with 5:26 left to
play. Puget Sound got back within four points with 2:29 left
to play but back-to-back jumpers by Linfield gave the Wildcats an
eight-point, 61-53 lead with just 52 seconds left to play but the
Loggers didn't give up.
Jocelyn Riordan (Lake Forest Park, Wash./Shorecrest) was fouled
while hitting a jumper with 46 seconds to play to pull back within
six points. The free throw by Riordan didn't find the net but
senior Natasha Ludwig (Hilo, Hawaii/Waiakea) was there for the
rebound and the putback as the Loggers got within four points with
43 seconds left on the clock.
McKinnis got the steal on the ensuing possession and hit a
jumper with 28 seconds left to play to get the Loggers within two
points with 28 seconds left on the clock. After a quick foul
by the Loggers, Linfield's Gretchen Owens missed a free throw and
Ludwig was there again for the important rebound.
Senior Claire Ely (Walnut Creek, Calif.) was fouled under the
basket and made her first free throw but the second attempt was no
good. Luckily for the Loggers, Ludwig was there once again
and following a few missed shots, Ely put away the game winner with
just 10 seconds left to play as the Loggers collected the 62-61
victory.
Puget Sound was led by 29 points from Ely, who was 14 of 19 from
the charity stripe. McKinnis finished the night with eight
points while Ludwig brought down nine rebounds in the win.
Linfield was led by 22 points from Gretchen Owens, who also
added seven rebounds. Lindsey Gummersall added 10 points
while Chrissy Baumgartner came off the bench to collect the
double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds.
The Loggers make their 2010 home debut on Wednesday evening when
they play host to Pacific Lutheran. Tip-off with the Lutes is
set for 6:00 p.m. at Memorial Fieldhouse in Tacoma, Wash.
