Box Score

NEWBERG, Ore. – Zalissa Sanfo and Mya Edwards scored 14 and 11 points to lead Whitworth, but the Pirates could not overcome an early deficit as they fell to George Fox 73-64 on Friday in Newberg.

Whitworth (4-10 overall, 1-4 NWC) led for just 12 seconds in the game after falling behind early. The Pirates threatened late in the second half cutting a double-digit lead to two with 6:52 remaining, but they came up short in the end.

 Kimberly Dewey was held to a season-low seven points on just 2-16 from the floor, after averaging 24.5 points through two games last week. As a team, the Pirates shot 33% from the floor (35% from three).

George Fox (2-10 overall, 2-3 NWC) led for all but twelve seconds as they took control early, using first quarter runs of 8-2 and 7-0 to build a 23-11 lead. Alyssa Wells scored five of the final seven points in the first frame and finished with 15 points to lead the Bruins.

Whitworth responded quickly, Dewey buried her only two field goals of the night to open the second quarter and the Pirates cut the deficit to 23-18. The Pirates fell behind by 10 points again, but closed the half with a 6-1 run, and trailed 36-31 at the break.

The Pirates made their biggest push in the fourth when Sydney McLean drilled a triple through contact which became a four-point play, and Sanfo followed that with consecutive layups to bring Whitworth to 59-57 with 6:52 to go.

But the Bruins separated themselves for good, Ella Roberts knocked down a pair of baskets and assisted on another to spark an 8-1 run, and the Pirates never recovered.

Whitworth had swept the season series with George Fox last year, but the Bruins will claim the first meeting of 2024, snapping their eight-game skid in the process.

The Pirates will be on the road against Linfield on Saturday at 4:00.