PARKLAND, Wash. -- The Loggers win a close one over cross-town rival Pacific Lutheran, taking down the Lutes 69-65 to secure their 10th win of the season.
How it Happened
The first quarter was a shootout, as both teams put up a combined 48 points in the quarter. Puget Sound got off to a quick 7-3, as a pair of layups by
Autumn Hill and a three by
Carmen Cruz started the scoring. After a
Grace Lee jumper made it 14-9,
Paige Oh drilled a three to keep the Logs rolling. The Lutes came back to tie the game up at 23 apiece, but a final bucket by
Mele Sake gave the Loggers a narrow 25-23 advantage at the break.
Despite a back-and-forth battle to begin the second, the Lutes started to go on a run. The Loggers found themselves down as much as five with 1:51 remaining in the second, but four straight points by
Claire Thompson put the Loggers within one. A final bucket by
Brianna Forbess made it 39-40 to end the half, keeping it close heading into the second half.
The Loggers stepped up their defensive efforts in the third quarter, going on a 7-0 run to kick off the period. Hill, Lee, and Cruz all made a bucket in that stretch, giving the Loggers a comfortable 46-40 lead. Another three by Oh and a layup by Hill extended Puget Sound's lead to nine - their largest of the game. They held onto that lead for the rest of the quarter, going up 57-50 after the third.
The fourth presented some fireworks, as the Lutes slowly started to come back. Back-to-back lay-ins by Sake extended the Logger lead back to seven, though, putting the game nearly out of reach. The Lutes didn't go down without fireworks, making it a one-point game with 38 seconds to go. Three key free throws by Cruz were the difference-maker, giving the Loggers a 69-65 victory.
Top Performers
Cruz finished with 15 points and 4 rebounds, while Sake nearly had a double-double, finishing with 12 points and 8 boards. Lee had an impressive 6 offensive rebounds, finishing with 8 points and 10 rebounds.
What Happens Next
The Loggers continue their road trip, heading down to Willamette University on Saturday, January 10th.
