by Joe Rayburn, Sports Information Student Assistant

PARKLAND – Pacific Lutheran held strong in the first half only to see cross-town rival Puget Sound pull way in the second to take a 70-57 Northwest Conference women's basketball win and season sweep of PLU Tuesday night at Names Family Court.

PLU dropped its fifth straight game to fall to 7-15 overall and 3-10 in conference play while the Loggers improve to 14-6 overall and 7-6 in NWC action. The Lutes are back in action Friday against Pacific for Senior Night at Names Family Court, with festivities beginning 15 minutes before the 6 p.m. tipoff.

The PLU defense came out disrupting a UPS offense that averages 71 points per game and forced the visitors to 33 percent shooting from the field in the first half, including 1-of-12 from three-point land. Samantha Potter came out eager to score in the opening period, registering 11 first-half points and eight rebounds in addition to Katelyn Smith's eight points on 4-of-6 shooting and five rebounds. The Lutes scored the final eight points and claimed a 29-24 lead at halftime.

Puget Sound came out of the break on a 13-2 run to erase the PLU advantage, and the Loggers didn't look back. Sarah Barnes kept PLU within striking distance; scoring eight consecutive points to cut the UPS lead to 48-40 with 11:35 remaining, but the Lutes weren't able to pull within six throughout the remainder the game, as the Loggers hit clutch shots whenever PLU threatened to draw closer.

Emily Sheldon shot 4-of-6 from three-point range in the second period in addition to Katy Ainslie's 12 second-half points. Sheldon led all scorers with 18 points, while Barnes led PLU with 15 points and four assists. Despite out-rebounding the visitors 43-34, Pacific Lutheran turned the ball over 21 times, giving the Loggers 23 points off turnovers.

Potter finished the night with 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Smith totaled 12 points and nine rebounds. Alexis Noren scored 15 for Puget Sound, and Katy Ainslie added 14.