Seniors Lead #18 Loggers Past Lutes, 69-54

PARKLAND, Wash. – The seniors stole the show for the 18th-ranked Puget Sound Loggers as they held off the Pacific Lutheran Lutes, 69-54, in a Northwest Conference women’s basketball game on Tuesday evening at Olson Auditorium in Parkland, Wash.

In the first half, the Lutes battled with the Loggers, trading leading for much of the half. With PLU up by three points with about seven minutes left to play, the Loggers used a 12-2 run to pull ahead by seven points with just 24 seconds left to go. A three-pointer with 11 seconds left got the Lutes back within four points but the Loggers took a 28-24 lead into halftime. Senior Natasha Lugwig (Hilo, Hawaii/Waiakea) led the way with 14 points and seven rebounds in the first 20 minutes.

In the second half, the Loggers began to pull away as senior Claire Ely (Walnut Creek, Calif./Northgate) found her All-American form. The Loggers pushed the lead back up to seven points with 18:05 left on the clock but the Lutes didn’t give up, pulling back within two points with 11:14 left. The lead hit double-digits with 1:19 left to go in the game on the first of two free throws by Ely. Ely hit two more and Jocelyn Riordan (Lake Forest Park, Wash./Shorecrest) hit a jumper as the Loggers collected the 69-54 victory.

Ely scored 22 of her eventual 26 points in the second half to pace the Loggers offensively. Ludwig finished with 16 points and 18 rebounds while freshman Lindsay Layland (Homer, Alaska) chipped in eight points and 10 rebounds in the win. The Loggers scored 22 points off turnovers to collect the win.

The Lutes were led by 18 points from Melissa Pixler. Jordan Westering came off the bench to add nine points, all coming from behind the arc. The Lutes brought down 20 offensive rebounds but managed just 11 second-chance points.

The Loggers hit the road again on Friday when they travel down to Salem, Ore. to take on Willamette. Tip with the Bearcats is set for 6:00 pm at Cone Field House.