By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

TACOMA, WASH. -- The University of Puget Sound built a 12-point lead in the first half and continued to pull away over the final 20 minutes, as the Loggers defeated Willamette University, 75-45, in a Northwest Conference women's basketball game on Friday, Jan. 4 at Memorial Fieldhouse. The Loggers moved to 9-4 on the season, 2-2 in the NWC.

Willamette cut the deficit to 37-27 by scoring the first basket of the second half, but Puget Sound countered with a 10-1 run to built a 19-point lead. The Loggers went on to outscore the Bearcats, 38-20 in the second half.

WU senior guard Sophie Wilson (Port Townsend, WA/Port Townsend HS) led all players with 15 points. She was 5 of 10 on field goals, including an impressive 5 for 8 from 3-point range. Emily Sheldon was the top player for UPS, as she tallied 13 points to go along with seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Puget Sound took a 12-4 lead in the first 5:14 of the game and held a 23-11 advantage following a layup by Allie Wyszynski with 9:01 remaining in the half.

Willamette reduced the margin with a 7-0 run on a 3-pointer by Wilson, a jumper by Rebecca Josephson (Jr., G, Fair Oaks, CA/Del Campo HS) and a basket by Ali Babij (Fr., F, Ontario, OR/Ontario HS). Puget Sound's lead was 23-18 at the 6:27 mark.

Each team added two points to its total before the Loggers went on a 9-0 run of their own. The offensive surge gave UPS a 34-20 edge with 3:32 left before the intermission. WU countered with five consecutive points on another 3-pointer by Wilson and a layup by Julia Brand (So., F, Kaneohe, HI/Punahou School), as the Bearcats reduced the lead to nine points.

Amanda Forshay sank a 3-pointer basket with 24 seconds on the clock to put UPS in front 37-25 at halftime.

After Puget Sound extended its lead to 47-28 early in the second half, the Bearcats were unable to recover. The Loggers shot 50.0% in the second half (17 of 34), including 4 of 7 on 3-pointers (57.1%). UPS held Willamette to just 26.9% shooting (7 of 26) in the second half.

For the night, UPS shot 46.2% (30 of 65) and made 7 of 13 three-pointers (53.8%). Willamette shot 32.1% (18 of 56) and finished 6 of 19 (31.6%) from behind the 3-point arc. Puget Sound claimed a 48-27 rebounding margin, led by Sheldon's seven boards, plus six rebounds each by Sarah Stewart, Katy Ainslie and Kelsey McKinnis.

Sheldon was joined in double figures by Stewart, who finished with 11 points. Ainslie and Erin Stumbaugh each contributed eight points for the Loggers.

Willamette's double-digit scorers were Wilson, with her 15 points, and Brand, who finished with 10 points on 5 of 8 shooting. Brand and Babij tied for the team rebounding lead with five boards apiece.

The game featured just 17 total fouls and only 17 free throw attempts. Puget Sound converted 8 of 10 charity tosses, while the Bearcats went 3 for 7 at the line.

Willamette remained winless at 0-11 overall, 0-2 in the NWC. The Bearcats will return home to take on George Fox University, ranked #24 by D3hoops.com, on Saturday, Jan. 5. Game time at Cone Field House in Salem, Ore., is set for 6 p.m. (PST).