Box score (PDF)
 
SEATTLE – After starring for two years at the community college level, Ashlynn Burgess is ready to show what she can do in NCAA Division II.
 
The junior showd a lot of what she can do on Saturday afternoon.
 
Burgess poured in 23 points and was one of four Seattle Pacific players in double figures as the Falcons scored a 76-63 women's basketball exhibition game victory against Puget Sound in Brougham Pavilion.
 
Joining Burgess in double-digit scoring were senior junior newcomer Abril Rexach Roure with 12, senior Madi Hingston with 11 and sophomore Rachel Berg with 10.
 
Last winter, Burgess led Wenatchee Valley to the Northwest Athletic Conference championship for two-year colleges. The 5-foot-10 forward averaged 18.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, and shot 53.7 percent from the field. She was even sharper on Saturday, hitting 10 of 12 for 83.3 percent. Burgess saved her best for last, tallying 13 of her 23 points during the fourth quarter.
 
"It was a quiet 23 points, and that's what's so amazing," second-year head coach Mike Simonson said of Burgess, who already has earned a role as co-captain with senior Hailee Bennett. "She makes the shots she's supposed to make, and she's a workhorse. She's part of our culture."
 
Seattle Pacific was behind just once on Iron Coaching Court, that when Puget Sound scored the opening point of the game on a free throw. The Falcons ran off the next seven in a row and never trailed again.
 
The Division III Loggers stayed within single digits most of the way. It was just a three-point margin at 38-35 with 6:26 left in the third quarter. But SPU closed the quarter on a 17-6 run to take a 55-41 lead into the final 10 minutes of the game.
 
"When we executed what we are trying to do offensively and defensively, we looked like the team we are and the team we want to be," Simonson said. "One thing we have to work on is limiting our fouls (the Falcons had 25), and we have to stretch leads instead of giving it back to the other team. But that will come with experience.
 
"Puget Sound is a very good team – they gave us a look as what the GNAC is going to be," Simonson added. "To play a team as talented as them in an exhibition game really helped prepare us for next weekend."
 
BY THE NUMBERS
-- SPU topped 50 percent shooting for the game, draining 29 of 56 (51.8 percent). That included 39 percent from 3-point range (9 of 23).
-- Of the nine Falcons who played, six shot 50 percent or better.
-- Along with her 11 points, Madi Hingston handed out a team-high six assists, grabbed four rebounds, blocked three shots, and came up with three steals. "We've known she has had that in her for a  long time. To see it coming to fruition is great," Simonson said.
-- Junior Kaprice Boston led the way with nine rebounds.
 
UP NEXT
The regular season officially begins next weekend in Arcata, Calif., when SPU plays in the West Region Challenge. First up on Friday, Nov. 8, is host Humboldt State at 7:00 p.m. On Saturday the 9^th, it'll be Fresno Pacific at 5:00 p.m.
 
 
NCAA WOMEN'S EXHIBITION BASKETBALL
Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019
Brougham Pavilion / Seattle, Wash.
 
Seattle Pacific 76, Puget Sound 63
 
PUGET SOUND
Sorn 0-4 0-0 2, Lange 7-13 6-9 20, Henderson 1-7 0-1 3, Daugherty 4-10 4-5 14, Allen 1-2 0-0 2, Utsumi 0-0 6-6 6, Minnehan 0-2 0-2 0, Dasalla 0-2 0-0 0, Pytynia-Hillier 2-2 0-0 6, Climenhage 1-2 0-0 3, Lavinger 0-3 1-3 1. Totals 19-54 19-28 63.
 
SEATTLE PACIFIC
Sterk 2-4 0-0 4, Burgess 10-12 2-4 23, Bennett 2-8 4-4 8, Rexach Roure 5-9 0-0 12, Hingston 4-7 0-0 11, Berg 4-6 0-0 10, Brennan 1-2 0-0 2, Boston 0-3 2-4 2, Alter 1-5 1-2 4. Totals 29-56 9-14 76.
 
Puget Sound        15           15           11           22           -- 63
Seattle Pacific     20           14           21           21           -- 76
 
3-point goals – UPS 6-23 (Henderson 1-6, Daugherty 2-8, Dasalla 0-2, Emmons 2-4, Pytynia-Hillier 1-1, Lavinder 0-2), SPU 9-23 (Burgess 1-1, Bennett 0-4, Rexcach Roure 2-3, Hingston 3-6, Berg 2-4, Brennan 0-1, Boston 0-1, Alter 1-3). Fouled out – None. Rebounds – UPS 35 (Lange 11), SPU 30 (Boston 9). Assists – UPS 7 (Utsumi 3), SPU 19 (Hingston 6). Turnovers – UPS 18, SPU 16. Total fouls – UPS 15, SPU 25. Technical fouls – None. Attendance – 159.
 
Next game
Seattle Pacific at Humboldt State
Friday, Nov. 8     7:00 p.m.
Lumberjack Arena / Arcata, Calif.