March 14, 2009

Oglethorpe loses to George Fox in NCAA Sectionals


CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. - Fifth-ranked Oglethorpe University and its attempt for back-to-back NCAA Final Four appearances was thwarted in the Round of 16 at the hands of undefeated and third-ranked George Fox, 71-56, Friday evening at Thomas More College. Box Score | SCAC Blogspot (Player and Coaches Interviews)

The Petrels end their season at 27-4, which ties the school record for single-season wins set last year.

Oglethorpe's last lead of the game came at 4-2 with 18:19 remaining in the first half.

The Petrels trailed 31-17 with 5:52 remaining in the first half, but a 10-0 run cut the Bruins lead to 31-27 with 1:38 remaining. However, a 4-0 run to end the half gave George Fox an eight-point cushion at 35-27 heading into the intermission.

Oglethorpe seemed to solve the George Fox zone defense early in the second half, quickly knotting the score at 44-44 on a layup by Tina Grace with 14:24 remaining.

But from that point, it was all George Fox as the Bruins scored 18 consecutive points to run the lead to 62-44 with 8:26 remaining and Oglethorpe would get no closer than 11 the rest of the way.

Grace led the way for Oglethorpe with 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists before fouling out with :36 seconds remaining in the contest. Katie Kulavic pitched in with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists, and Biz Richmann finished just a rebound short of a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds.

Sage Indendi had a game-high 18 points to lead George Fox.

The Petrels shot just 35.0% (21-60) for the game, including a dismal 23.5% (4-17) from distance. Conversely, George Fox shot 42.2% (27-64), including 40.0% (8-20) from beyond the arc.

George Fox outrebounded Oglethorpe 42-34 and outscored the Petrels 32-24 in the paint.

George Fox (29-0) will play the winner of seventh-ranked Thomas More College (28-2) and second-ranked Hope College (27-1) Saturday night with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

For interviews with coaches and players be sure to check out the SCAC Blog.