The Trail

Issue date: 2/16/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Emily Hearst Forward Jessica Roberts looks for an open Logger. The women currently sit atop the NWC.

The Lady Loggers beat both the Whitworth Pirates 73-55 and the Whitman Missionaries 53-45 on Feb. 9 and 10. These well-earned victories allowed the women's basketball team to keep sole possession of first place in the Northwest Conference.

When the Pirates came to Memorial Fieldhouse, they came out of the gates fast, taking an early lead in the game. The Loggers rallied back, however, and took the lead with 15:59 left in the first half; they never trailed again.

The Pirates kept the game close until a 10-2 run led by junior Laura Hirsh helped Puget Sound increase their margin. The Logger's strong shooting from the field was key to their victory as they shot 50 percent, including an impressive 40 percent from behind the arc.

Hirsh had a strong performance with 22 points, six rebounds, and three assists to lead the team. Senior Brie Adderley and Sophomore Allison Craven also turned in notable performances, scoring 10 points and 11 points respectively. Senior Shelby Ramirez added six points, six rebounds and a game-high five assists.

UPS' victory over Whitman the following night was surely bittersweet. Seniors Brie Adderley, Shelby Ramirez and Jessica Roberts played their final home game in the Fieldhouse and made it one to remember.

UPS went into halftime with a small lead, after a first half marred by poor shooting from both teams. In the second half, Puget Sound methodically built up a big lead, but Whitman went on a run of their own to cut it back to six with just over two minutes remaining. In the end, Puget Sound was able to prevail, carried by perfect shooting from the free throw line by Hirsh and Ely down the stretch.

The Loggers had a well balanced offense against the Missionaries. Craven finished with 13 points and six rebounds. Junior Morgan Harter added eight points, Hirsh finished with seven points and Ely chipped in six points and six rebounds.
A common trend in these recent victories has been stifling defensive efforts. UPS held the Pirates to 55 points on 31.7 percent from the field and Whitman to only 45 points on 32.8 percent shooting.

"The defense is incredible," said sophomore Alison Craven. Clearly, neither of these teams could handle UPS' overwhelming defense.

• Mackenzie Morton used to teach self-defense classes, but stopped when she reached ninja status.

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