SALEM, Ore. - Down 63-62 with 2:22 remaining in the game, the University of Puget Sound women's basketball team scored the final seven points of the game to come away with a 69-63 victory at Willamette. Kelsey McKinnis and Sarah Stewart combined to score all seven points in the final stretch to lead the Loggers (15-4, 8-2 NWC) past the pesky Bearcats (2-15, 1-9 NWC).

The Loggers built a six-point halftime lead, but the Bearcats refused to go away in the second half. The Loggers biggest lead came when Jocelyn Riordan's layup gave the Loggers a 49-35 lead with 13:53 remaining. However, the Bearcats fought back and took a 63-62 lead with Kaleigh Westermann's layup at the 2:55 mark.

However, McKinnis hit a pair of free throws to regain the lead for the Loggers. With just over one minute left, Stewart hit a three-pointer to give the Loggers a 67-63 lead. McKinnis knocked down two more free throws in the final minute for the final margin.

"Willamette came out and played very physical. They never gave up and played a solid 40 minute," commented head coach Loree Payne. "It was a great growing opportunity to show composure and show poise. We were able to maintain our composure, get some big stops and knock down some shots."

McKinnis finished with 15 points, thanks to an outstanding 13-of-15 night from the free throw line, and dished out six assists. Taylor Jones led the Loggers with 16 points while Jocelyn Riordan added 13 points. Lindsay Layland scored seven points but pulled down 14 rebounds, including seven on the offensive glass.

"We know that the second night in a back-to-back situation we aren't going to shoot as well," added Payne. "We know we need to be active on the glass and we were fortunate to have Lindsay come in and really hit the glass hard."

Alex Zennan had a game-high 21 points for the Bearcats while Westermann contributed 13 points and eight rebounds.

The Loggers open up a four-game homestand next week when they host Whitworth on Friday at 6 p.m., looking to even the series after a loss in Spokane earlier this year.