PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Lewis & Clark Pioneers tried to recover from their early turnovers and Puget Sound's successful shooting, but despite a strong finish to the second quarter, the visiting Loggers defeated the Pios 80-62 on Friday night at Pamplin Sports Center.

Lewis & Clark committed 21 turnovers, including 11 in the first half, and had the ball stolen away nine times in the game. Early on, Puget Sound shot the ball nicely, but finished the first half at 40 percent after the Pios held the Loggers to only one field goal over the final 6:13. Still, Puget Sound led by 11 points at halftime.

The Loggers pushed the lead further after the third quarter, eventually closing out the win.

"We came out with a tough first half," said freshman Alyx Crager. "We didn't play like we normally do, and Puget Sound is a great team, so of course they're going to come out strong."

Before the Pioneers defensive stance in the late first half, Lewis & Clark was trailing 34-16 when Sara Hogman split a pair of free throws. Following Rachel Cox's layup with 2:29 remaining, Ayisat Afolabi, who had missed her first six shots, scored on three consecutive possessions. Right before the first half buzzer, Samone Jackson, who scored a season-high 25 points for Puget Sound, made a layup to restore the Loggers' double-digit lead.

Natalie Kelly led the Pioneers with 16 points on 5 of 10 shooting, including missing just one of her four 3-point attempts. Afolabi scored 10 points off the bench, with Crager adding nine points on 4 of 8 shooting.

Puget Sound had three players in double figures, including the 25 from Jackson, who started the game 3 of 3 from 3-point range before missing her only other attempt. Emily Sheldon scored 20 points and Alex Noren finished with 13.

Already missing sophomore Kelley Koeppen, who was injured last weekend, Lewis & Clark suffered another injury when Hogman left the game late in the third quarter. All four of the Pios' freshmen have been off the court because of injury this season.

"We've had a rough start. I was out with a concussion. Sara has a screw in her foot," said Crager. "Our two other freshman [Tate Kelley and Janessa Willie] are out right now, but they're a great group of girls and I'm lucky to come in with them."

Only Miyah Leith, Kaitlin Mathewson, Kelly and Hogman have played in all 20 games this season for the Pioneers.

The road doesn't get easier for Lewis & Clark either, as the Pioneers play at undefeated George Fox on Saturday at 4 p.m.

"We want to finish strong and on a good note," said Crager. "It hasn't been the season we wanted, but we have created good friendships and memories and hopefully next year we can surprise the league."

Following the road game in Newburg, the Pioneers play three of their final four games in Portland starting Tuesday when Lewis & Clark hosts Linfield.

Other Northwest Conference Scores - Friday

George Fox 62, Pacific Lutheran 60
Linfield 72, Willamette 52
Pacific 50, Whitman 46