TACOMA, Wash. — After a long road trip, the Loggers are finally home, starting their home stand with a 60-46 win over the University of California, Santa Cruz Banana Slugs 60-46. 

How it Happened 
The Loggers found themselves down quickly, as the Slugs jumped out to a quick 10-3 lead within the first three minutes. Puget Sound responded with a 9-0 run of their own, capping it off with back-to-back threes by Carmen Cruz and Hailey Quiggle. A pair of free throws and a layup by Grace Lee powered the Loggers to a 16-11 lead at the end of the first quarter, as their defense held the Slugs to just one point in the final seven minutes. 

Both teams took a moment to get into the second quarter, as each defense held the game scoreless through the first two minutes. Natalia Sefair-Lopez broke the ice, and Quiggle knocked down a pair of threes to extend the Loggers' lead to 10. The teams traded buckets to end the half, as the Loggers took a 32-23 lead into the break. 

UCSC made it a two-possession game to start the third quarter, but four free throws from Mele Sake extended the Loggers lead yet again. Quiggle drained another three, and the Loggers defense held strong as they continued to pour it in offensively. Quiggle got to the paint and layed it in for the final bucket of the quarter, taking a 49-38 lead into the final period. 

In the fourth, the Loggers slowed the game down to ensure the victory. They continued to press on defense, but made smarter decisions in order get the ball in the basket. A couple of buckets by Cruz, and a slew of free throws concluded the game, as the Loggers took down the Slugs 60-46. 

What Happens Next 
The Loggers take on Middlebury on December 29th at 2:00 PM.