TACOMA, Wash. - Madison Salisbury racked up 25 points and 11 rebounds but it wasn't enough for the Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team to steal the win on Tuesday night, falling 63-60 to the University of Puget Sound in the Northwest Conference opener inside Memorial Fieldhouse.

It was a back and forth opening half featuring nine lead changes and five ties. The visiting Lutes (1-2, 0-1 NWC) led by as many as four on a Megan Drake free throw with 59 seconds left in the first quarter but it was quickly nullified with a Logger layup tilting the lead back to the hosts just three seconds into the second quarter. A Drake layup put PLU up 22-21 with 3:39 left in the second before the Loggers (3-1, 1-0 NWC) scored eight of the next 10 to seize a 29-24 halftime advantage.

Puget Sound's advantage swelled to 11 points just over two minutes into the third quarter but the Lutes stormed back, holding the Loggers over the final 1:40 of the third and trailing by just two 47-45 heading into the final 10 minutes of play. PLU tied the contest at 51 on a Katie Taylor three with 6:50 to play and again at 55 with just under five minutes to play on a Salisbury layup but the Loggers responded with the next six points and kept the Lutes at bay the rest of the way to earn the three-point win.

"It was a playoff feel game in November," said Head Coach Jennifer Childress. "We have a lot to be proud of and we know we have a lot of improvements ahead of us."

Salisbury finished the night with a game-high 25 points and 11 rebounds, hitting nine of her 12 shots from the floor. Emma Janousek added 10 points and three assists while Megan Drake tallied eight points and eight boards.

"Madison was a warrior tonight! She played such a physical game and her play in the fourth quarter was very impressive."

PLU held a slim advantage in both rebounds (35 to 34) and bench points (18 to 17) but committed 18 turnovers to Puget Sound's 10.

"So much of our short-comings tonight were controllable."

The Lutes return to the hardwood on Friday, making the trek down to McMinnville, Oregon to face Linfield College. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m.