TACOMA, Washington (February 1, 2025) -- Women's basketball fell 85-48 to the Whitman Blues on Saturday night. After a close, back and forth opening 10 minutes the Blues prowess from three point range widened the gap between the two sides, as Whitman would ultimately shoot 40% from beyond the arc as a team. Meanwhile, in a polar opposite turn of fate, the Loggers struggled from distance, going 0-13 on the night. The Blues recipe of outside shooting and driving to the basket ultimately proved too much for the team in the end, as the Blues also managed 22 free throws, 9 more than the Loggers' team total. One of the final game areas that the Loggers were not able to match the Blues in was offensive rebounding, as each team's totals favored Whitman 15 to 5. 

Highlights of the night included large scoring outbursts from first year teammates Mele Sake and Carmen Cruz who finished with 14 and 12 respectively. Each scoring a large chunk of their points in individual runs, Cruz scoring 6 of her 12 final points in the last frame of the game. Mele Sake's 14 came from penetrating inside the paint, as she finished a standout 7-8 from the field, and scored all 14 points without an attempt from the free throw line as well. Sake finished her all around stellar game with a steal and a block to boot. Emme Eisenman showcased her hustle and heart playing 33 of the total 40 minutes of game time, in between short rests she was found fighting for rebounds and loose balls even as the game eventually reached out of hand. 

The Loggers put up a great fight on the defensive end, lodging 15 turnovers, a block and four steals against D3hoops #5 ranked team in the nation. They started especially strong on this end, holding Whitman to 19 points in the first quarter, where they also managed 2 steals and forced 5 turnovers in the 10 minute opening frame. At the end of the night four different Loggers' recorded a steal and Whitman's ball handlers were made uneasy throughout the evening. 

The Loggers have an opportunity to get back above .500 in conference play (5-5 after tonight's results) this upcoming Friday, February 7th at 8pm, when they travel to Linfield to take on the Wildcats.