EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The women's basketball team started off their season with a dominant 74-55 victory against University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire on Friday night in Zorn Arena. The Loggers then took a 72-59 loss on Saturday afternoon against University of Wisconsin - Stout in the UW-Eau Claire tip-off tournament.
Puget Sound 74, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 55
The UW-Eau Claire Blugolds launched a 18-5 lead in the first six minutes of play, however the Loggers quickly found rhythm narrowing the deficit to just seven points and ending the quarter 22-15 in favor of the Blugolds.
Kennedy Brown led with seven points.
The Loggers dominated the next two quarters outshooting the Blugolds 27-11 and 26-8 respectively.
Grace Pytynia-Hillier led with 11 points in the second quarter and 10 points in the third quarter. The Loggers finished the third quarter leading 68-41.
The Blugolds fought back in the fourth quarter, but ultimately it wasn't enough to repair the 27-point lead the Loggers held in the third quarter.
Paige Gerhart led the Loggers with her first double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Pytynia-Hillier led with 23 points going 5-for-8 on the three point. Off the bench, freshman
Autumn Hill delivered eight rebounds and five block in her 13 minutes of play time.
Puget Sound 59, University of Wisconsin-Stout 72
The Loggers weren't as stealthy in their second game of the tournament against University of Wisconsin-Stout, Puget Sound shot 30.6% from the floor compared to their 43.5% in the game against UW-Eau Claire.
Kennedy Brown led the Loggers with a season-high 31 points and an impressive 10-for-10 at the free-throw line,
Paige Gerhart followed with nine points and eight rebounds. Freshman
Autumn Hill delivered another eight rebounds, six points, and three blocks.
The Loggers kept it tight in the first quarter ending the quarter down 21-18. The Loggers lead the second quarter outshooting the UW-Stout Blue Devils 13-11 and tightening the deficit to 32-31.
However, the Loggers couldn't continue the rhythm after the half and the Blue Devils picked up the pace, scoring 19 points, finishing the third quarter 51-46 for the Blue Devils. UW-Stout never let up after that lead, gaining momentum, and taking it to the end.
The Loggers had 17 turnovers and 39 rebounds compared to the Blue Devils 13 turnovers and 37 rebounds. The Blue Devils shot for 47.2% on the floor, the Loggers defended well on outside shots but the UW-Stout had 34 points inside that the Loggers couldn't hold off. 23 fouls by the Loggers didn't help, the Blue Devils scored 16 points off free-throws.
The Loggers travel to Michigan to compete in the Hope College Tournament on Friday, Nov. 17 and Saturday, Nov. 18.
