TACOMA, Wash. - A scoring surge late in the first quarter tipped the scales in favor of the nationally-ranked hosts on Tuesday night as the Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team fell 68-38 to crosstown nemesis and 18th-ranked University of Puget Sound in a Northwest Conference showdown inside Memorial Fieldhouse.

"UPS is a really good team. Our guards had to grow up a bit during that game and I think they did that," said Head Coach Lee Aduddell.

"This was good experience for us that will prove valuable not only when we meet them again, but throughout conference play."

Ava Edmonds opened the game with a three and the Lutes (1-15, 1-6 NWC) trailed by just two at 8-6 halfway through the opening quarter. The host Loggers (14-2, 7-0 NWC) showed why they're on of the nation's best over the final five minutes of the first, scoring 21 of the next 22 points to take a 29-7 lead into the second quarter. UPS maintained a sizable cushion the rest of the way, enjoying a 47-21 lead at the break and maintaining at least a 20-point margin the entire second half.

Edmonds led the Lutes' scoring efforts with nine points while adding seven rebounds. Ashley Akamine added seven points while Taylor Schmidtke hauled in eight boards. Emi Wada and Kasidy Javernick each had three assists. As a team the Lutes had assists on all but four field goals on the night.

PLU outrebounded the Loggers 33-31 on the night but Puget Sound enjoyed a 35-10 edge in points off turnovers.

The Lutes return to the hardwood on Saturday evening, hosting Pacific University at 4 p.m.