TACOMA, Wash. – Having already sewn up the second seed in the Northwest Conference, the 15th-ranked Puget Sound Loggers didn't let off the gas, speeding past the Lewis & Clark Pioneers, 67-53, in a NWC women's basketball game on Saturday at Memorial Fieldhouse in Tacoma, Wash.

In the first half, it didn't take long for the Loggers to build the lead into double-digits as they found themselves up by 11 points with 15:11 left to go in the first half. The Loggers continued to hold off the Pios, pushing the lead into 20 points with 1:26 left to go in the first half, leading 38-18 before taking a 41-20 lead into the halftime break.

In the second half, the Loggers pushed the lead to 26 points early on before Lewis & Clark started a comeback attempt. The Pioneers managed to the lead down into the teens but that would be as close at the Pios would get as the Loggers collected the 67-53 win.

Puget Sound was led by 26 points from senior Claire Ely (Walnut Creek, Calif./Northgate). Natasha Ludwig (Hilo, Hawaii/Waiakea) added 13 points while Kelsey McKinnis (Ashland, Ore.) chipped in 12 points The Loggers shot 54.2% for the game, compared with just 32.1% for L&C.

The Pioneers were led by 15 points and 10 rebounds from Megan Spence. Kristina Williams added 10 points for the Pios. L&C forced 23 turnovers but only capitalized for 11 points off giveaways.

The Loggers will open up the postseason on Thursday night when they play host to Whitworth. Tip with the Pirates is set for 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Fieldhouse in Tacoma, Wash.