WALLA WALLA, Wash. — A slow start dug a hole that led to the Loggers losing 68-42 to the George Fox Bruins on Friday night at Sherwood Center.  

Puget Sound (11-15, 10-6 NWC) struggled offensively, managing just three points in the first quarter and never recovering against a sharp-shooting George Fox (20-6, 11-5 NWC) squad. The Bruins took control early and never trailed, using a 24-point third quarter to break the game open.  

Carmen Cruz led the Loggers with 13 points on 6-of-15 shooting, while Emme Eisenman added eight points and five rebounds. Mele Sake chipped in seven points and six boards, but over the course of the game Puget Sound shot just 34% from the field and hit only one three-pointer.  

George Fox was paced by Alyssa Wells, who contributed for 17 points including three shots from beyond the arc. The Bruins' bench also played a pivotal role, contributing 26 points as they shot 43.4% from the field and 70.6% from deep.  

The Loggers were held without a field goal for nearly five minutes to open the game, falling behind 11-3 after the first quarter. By halftime, George Fox had built a 27-16 advantage. Puget Sound briefly cut the deficit to single digits in the second quarter, but the Bruins answered with a barrage of threes to push their lead to 18 by the end of the third.  

Puget Sound ends their season in the semifinals graduating two seniors, Emme Eisenman and Addison Reardon, who leave behind a hungry, young squad.

Tomorrow evening Whitman will host the NWC finals, which will see George Fox play the winner of the currently-ongoing Whitman v. Linfield game.