TACOMA, Wash. - Winning their third straight game, the Puget Sound Loggers moved into a three-way tie for second place in the Northwest Conference with a 71-57 win over the visiting Willamette Bearcats in a NWC women's basketball game on Saturday night at Memorial Fieldhouse in Tacoma, Wash.

Using what has become a trademark early run, the Loggers jumped ahead by 11 points midway through the first period and the Bearcats couldn't overcome the deficit.  Willamette was able to get back within two points with two minutes remaining but the Loggers used a 5-0 run to take a 33-26 lead into the break.

In the second half, the Loggers hit the gas pedal once more, pulling ahead by 20 points with 8:15 to go in the game.  The Bearcats were able to pull a little closer as the game wore down but the Logger lead proved to be too much as Puget Sound collected the 71-57 win.

The Loggers were led by 17 points from Claire Ely (Walnut Creek, Calif./Northgate).  Karen Chase (Yakima, Wash./West Valley) added 13 while Natasha Ludwig (Hilo, Hawaii/Waiakea) brought down a game-high 17 rebounds.  With the win, the Loggers moved into a three-way tie for second place with Whitman and Whitworth.

Willamette was led by 18 points from Alex Zennan.  Molly Fillion collected the double double, scoring 16 and bringing down 11 rebounds in the losing effort.

The Loggers hit the road next week for as they open up the second half of Northwest Conference play at Lewis & Clark.  Tip-off with the Pioneers is set for 6:00 p.m. on Friday in Portland, Ore.

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