The 6th-ranked Loggers collected 12 points on their first four shots – three three-pointers and an old fashion lay-up and one - as Puget Sound got out and running, sprinting to a 25 point (68-43) lead at the break, taking control of a game that wasn’t ever close.
Curtiss had a game high 17 points at the half, ending the night with 19 on eight of 14 shooting in just 19 minutes of action. As a team the Loggers shot a scorching 69.4% over the first twenty minutes, and 59.7% for the game.
Seven Loggers scored in double-figures, including all five starters. Forward Aubrey Shelton came off the bench to contribute 18 while playing a game high 26 minutes.
Fernando Barreda led Santa Cruz, adding 19 points on five of six shooting. Barreda was nine of nine from the charity stripe.
Puget Sound won the battle of the boards 38-28. Senior Chris O’Donnell had a game high nine for the Loggers, scoring 10 to nearly registering a double-double in the season opener.
The Loggers (1-0) are back in action tomorrow for the second game of the Logger Tip-Off Classic, facing University of La Verne (1-0) at 8:00pm. Santa Cruz (0-1) takes on Pacific Lutheran (0-1) at 4:00 in the other men’s pairing.