TACOMA, Wash. - Nearly outscoring their opponent in the first half alone, the Puget Sound Loggers cruised to an easy win over the Menlo Oaks, 78-42, in a non-conference women's basketball game on Saturday evening at Memorial Fieldhouse in Tacoma, Wash.

In the first half the Oaks (0-2) kept it close early, even holding onto leads in the first five minutes, but the Loggers (2-1) chipped away.  After holding just a one-point lead with 12:54 left to play, the Loggers quickly pushed the advantage into double-digits, using a three-point basket by freshman Kelsey McKinnis (Ashland, Ore.) with 7:57 left in the half to take a 12 point lead, 23-11.  Puget Sound continued to get the ball in the paint, building an 18-point halftime lead, 40-22.  The Loggers collected 18 points in the paint in the first half, using a penetrating offense to get the ball down low.

In the second half, the Loggers turned on the jets, putting the lead at 20 points on a jumper by Lindsay Layland (Homer, Alaska) just seven seconds into the period. The lead reached 30 points on the second of two free throws by Natasha Ludwig (Hilo, Hawaii/Waiakea) with 13:39 left to play that gave Puget Sound a 56-26 lead. 

The Loggers biggest lead came with 3:11 left on the clock when senior Claire Ely (Walnut Creek, Calif./Northgate) hit a three-pointer that gave Puget Sound a 73-37 lead.  The teams exchanged baskets the rest of the way as the Loggers collected the 78-42 win.

Puget Sound was led by 17 points from Ely and Ludwig, who also added 11 rebounds to collect the double-double.  McKinnis finished with 13 points in the winning effort.  Layland and Jocelyn Riordan (Lake Forest Park, Wash./Shorecrest) each added 11 points as all five starters finished with double-digit scoring. 

Menlo was led by nine points from both Carlie Stone and Stephanie Truong.  The Oaks made just 14-of-50 attempts for a 28% shooting percentage.

The Loggers head to Idaho next week to participate in the Lady 'Yote Classic, hosted by College of Idaho.  Puget Sound will first tip off against Eastern Oregon on Friday afternoon in Caldwell, Idaho.