The Trail

Issue date: 3/2/07 Section: Sports

The Loggers came up a bit short in the NWC championship game but, they look to get on the back on track for the NCAA tourney.

It was a tournament week for Logger Women's Basketball. The Logger ladies played Linfield at home winning 65-50 and lost on the road to George Fox 58-51. On Thursday night, UPS faced off against the Linfield Wildcats at the Memorial Fieldhouse.

The Loggers took the lead early on with a three-pointer from senior Shelby Ramirez. Sophomore Allison Craven gave the Loggers a double digit lead with a jumper, making it 15-5. A series of second-half free throws gave UPS the win.

Coach Suzy Barcomb stated that she was most happy with the Logger's defense skills in the Linfield game.

"We executed our defensive game plan extremely well in the first half. We came out ready to play and our defense sparked our offense," Barcomb said.

With the Loggers' defeat of the Wildcats they were able to move on the to NWC championship game at George Fox. The winner of that game automatically received a berth to the NCAA Division III tournament.

UPS played hard against the George Fox Bruins, leading 21-6 in the first half. Craven repeated her triumphant jumper from Thursday, again pushing Puget Sound into the double-digits. At the buzzer, the Loggers lead 33-20.

The Bruins came back in the second half, slowly catching up to Puget Sound's lead. One of the Loggers' strengths is their free-throws, but unfortunately, they only managed to shoot six in the game. With two minutes left in the game, the Bruins were tied with the Loggers, 49-49. After George Fox gained the lead, the Logger game fell apart. With only a minute left, the Loggers couldn't sink their shots and George Fox received the Berth to the NCAA championships.

The Loggers knew it was going to be a hard game. Barcomb said that George Fox is a very talented team.

"They have three dynamic scorers and a great combination of an inside and outside game."

According to Barcomb, the key to winning the game was defense, which the Loggers couldn't pull out in the second half.

On Sunday the Logger women were given a Pool C at-large bid, allowing them to go to the NCAA tournament. This will be their second straight year competing in the tournament. Last year, the Loggers were defeated in the second round by Pacific Lutheran at the Lutes' court.

This year, UPS will travel to George Fox in Newburg, Ore. to take on McMurry University from Abilene, Tex. in the first round.

• Nadine Leonard is excited to see the players from McMurry arrive. She will finally get to see a covered wagon.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools