Defense Keys Big Victory At Evergreen St.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – A 14-1 run to open the game set the pace for the Puget Sound women's basketball team on the way to a 66-44 victory at Evergreen St.  The Loggers (6-2) put forth a solid defensive effort, forcing 22 turnovers and holding the Geoducks (2-6) to 33.3 percent shooting.

The Loggers scored the first six points of the game and never looked back as they won their third consecutive game. Kelsey McKinnis led three Loggers in double digits with 14 points. Jocelyn Riordan added 12 points and freshman Ashley Agcaoili contributed 10 points.

Danielle Swain had a game-high 16 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Geoducks. Swain was the only one to reach double digits.

The Logger defense took center stage out of the gates as they held the Geoducks to 21.2 percent shooting in the first half. The Loggers held the Geoducks without a field goal for nearly eight minutes. At the 12:10 mark in the first half, Sami Clark hit the Geoducks first shot but the Loggers already built a 14-3 lead.

"We were able to get a good jump on (Evergreen St.) and never let down," said head coach Loree Payne. "We came out solid and defensively focused, which we were able to maintain for the majority of the game."

The Geoducks were never able to get closer than seven points the rest of the way.

The Logger bench outscored the Geoducks 20-4 in the game led by nine points from Taylor Jones and seven from Amanda Forshay.

The Loggers will not hit the hardwood again until Dec. 17 when they visit Chapman in Orange, Calif. in the first of a three-game swing through southern California.