NEWBERG, Ore. - Three Lutes finished in double figures but a late game scoring drought derailed the Pacific Lutheran University women's basketball team on Saturday afternoon, stumbling 52-41 to George Fox University in a Northwest Conference tilt at Miller Gymnasium.

Ashley Akamine drilled a three with 3:18 left in the game, closing the gap to just four points but the Lutes misfired on their next four shots from the floor while the host Bruins sunk five free throws and a trey of their own to hold on for the win.

PLU (0-13, 0-4 NWC) charged out of the gate, scoring seven of the opening nine points. An Ava Edmonds layup at the horn gave the Lutes a 16-12 edge after one quarter of action. George Fox (5-8, 2-2 NWC)  took its first lead of the game late in the second quarter and took a 24-21 lead into the locker room at halftime.

An Edmonds layup tied the game at 24 early in the third before the Bruins pushed ahead for good on a three with 4:19 remaining in the quarter. An Edmonds three just seconds into the fourth narrowed the gap to a single point but the Lutes were unable to come any closer.

"We're learning to compete every day and every game, but we haven't quite yet learned to win. We have more steps to take to get there but are getting closer every day," said Head Coach Lee Aduddell.

Edmonds paced the Lutes for the second straight game, scoring 15 points while hauling in nine rebounds. Sydney Reisner and Ashley Akamine added 11 points while Breeze Bartle nabbed five rebounds.

It was a tough shooting night for the Lutes, hitting just 28.3 percent (13-for-46) of its shots from the field but crashing the boards allowed the Lutes to enjoy a 13-11 edge in second chance points.

The Lutes return home next weekend, hosting Willamette University on Friday at 6 p.m. inside Olson Gymnasium.