TACOMA, Washington – Local rivals meet for the first time this season when the No. 19/12 Puget Sound women's basketball team hosts Pacific Lutheran Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 6 p.m.
 
10 of 11
The Loggers enter Tuesday's game with 10 wins in their last 11 games. Their one loss during that stretch was at Trinity (Tex.)(Dec. 21),which is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation by D3hoops.com.
 
3 for 30
The Loggers' 76-44 win at Linfield Saturday (Jan. 14) was Puget Sound's third NCAA D-III victory by at least 30 points this season. The Loggers beat Whittier, 84-49 (Nov. 26), and topped Chapman, 93-58 (Nov. 28).
 
Silent assassin
Katie Minnehan, an All-NWC First Team honoree last year, has scored nine or more points just once in the last seven games. She thrives when impacting games by doing the dirty work. Over the past seven games, Minnehan has pulled down at least seven rebounds three times, come up with at least three steals three times, and dished out at least four assists three times. Furthermore, Minnehan has made 28 consecutive free-throws – she hasn't missed since the second game of the season.
 
Spark off the bench
Playing exclusively off the bench this season, Grace Pytynia-Hillier is averaging 9.3 points per game. She has scored at least 10 points in three of the last four games, and has reached double digits in scoring nine times this season.
 
Sophie steps up
Puget Sound's offense has been balanced throughout the season, but Sophie Nilsson is the Loggers' leading scorer since the start of the new calendar year. She is averaging 12.8 points in four games in 2023.
 
Recent history
Puget Sound has won four consecutive games against Pacific Lutheran. The average combined score is 84.8-70.8.
 
Scouting Pacific Lutheran (1-14, 1-5 NWC)
First-year head coach Lee Adudell got her first-career victory this past weekend when the Lutes beat Lewis & Clark, 77-52 (Jan. 14). Still, the Lutes are last in the NWC for rebounding (34.0) and turnover margin (-6.57). Three players average double-digits in scoring: Ava Edmonds (12.0), Ashley Akamine (11.3), Sydney Reisner (10.9).