GEORGE FOX 75, CAL LUTHERAN 44: Bruins Reign over Regals as Roos Rains Threes

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THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Jami Roos poured in a career-high 22 points, 19 in the first half, with six three-pointers as the George Fox University Bruins romped to their first win of the season 75-44 over the California Lutheran University Regals in the Posada Royale Thanksgiving Women's Basketball Classic Saturday afternoon here at Gilbert Arena.

A layup by Megan Hays and a conventional three-point play by Roos gave George Fox an early 5-0 lead, but Cal Lutheran bounced back to take two-point leads twice, the last at 11-9 on a jumper by Alex Nelson with 13:35 to go in the first half.  Hayley Cusick tied it with two free throws, a layup by Megan Arnoldy put the Bruins ahead, and Roos nailed back-to-back threes that made it 19-11 Bruins at the 9:39 mark. 

Over the next five minutes, the Bruins stretched their lead by out-scoring the Regals 12-5, Roos sinking three more from beyond the arc in that run to make it 31-15 with 4:50 to go.  A layup by McKenzie Wolfe gave the Bruins their largest lead of the period at 41-22 with 27 seconds left before they settled for a 42-24 halftime margin.

George Fox continued to pour it on in the second half, scoring the first seven points of the period on a three by Arnoldy and layups by Hays and Arnoldy for a 25-point bulge of 49-24.  The differential reached 30 four minutes into the half when Dacia Heckendorf drained a three for a 55-25 advantage, and eventually reached 38 points on a layup by Ally McConnell that made it 75-37 with 2:36 remaining.

After committing 57 turnovers in their first two games (losses to the University of Redlands and Chapman University), the Bruins, who were ranked No. 2 in two pre-season NCAA Division III national polls, took care of the ball against the Regals by making only 14 miscues while forcing 25.  The Bruins out-shot the Regals from the field .475 (28-59) to .273 (15-55), including .310 (9-29) to .182 (2-11) from three-point range. 

Roos tied her career high in three-pointers en route to her big game, while Arnoldy and Hays added 11 points each, each hitting 5-7 from the field.  It was a career high for Hays.  Arnoldy, Hays, and Justine Benner had six rebounds apiece, while Roos handed out six assists, Cusick four, and Wolfe made five steals. 

Channing Fleischmann ruled the Regals with 12 points, while Rachel Heagy posted a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds as Cal Lutheran controlled the glass 41-37.  Natalie Stone passed out four assists.

NEXT: George Fox (1-2) heads back to California next weekend for the Hampton Inn Classic hosted by the University of California-Santa Cruz.  The Bruins will play the host UCSC Banana Slugs on Saturday, Dec. 1, at 5:00 p.m., and the University of La Verne Leopards on Sunday, Dec. 2, at 12:30 p.m. ... California Lutheran (2-1) hosts Whitworth University Monday at 7:30 p.m.