TACOMA, Washington – The Puget Sound women's basketball team pushed its win streak to six games to open the season as the Loggers beat UC-Santa Cruz, 53-51, in the first day of the Pacific Northwest Tournament hosted by Pacific Lutheran on Friday night.

The Loggers (6-0) opened the game on a 9-2 run, and they never trailed through 40 minutes against the Banana Slugs (5-2). Amanda Forshay, Allie Wyszynski, and reigning Northwest Conference Student-Athlete of the Week Katy Ainslie each scored 10 points. Forshay also added 10 rebounds for her second double-double of the season. 

"I'm very proud of the team for digging down and getting this win," said Puget Sound head coach Loree Payne. "UC-Santa Cruz is a very good and experienced team. We were able to hold our composure and come together to get this victory." 

The Loggers held a 33-25 lead at halftime, and Forshay opened the second half with a jumper before five consecutive points by the Banana Slugs cut Puget Sound's lead to 35-30.

Erin Strumbaugh's jumper 3:30 into the second half pushed the Loggers to the brink of a double-digit lead at 41-32, but UCSC was quick to respond with a basket of its own. Ainslie's layup one minute later gave the Loggers a nine-point lead at 43-34, but UCSC answered with a layup on its next possession to stay within striking distance.

Puget Sound fended off a 7-2 run by the Banana Slugs down the stretch to hold on for the win.

The Loggers conclude the Pacific Northwest Tournament with a 4 p.m. tipoff against Colorado College a 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6.

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