MBSK: NORTHWEST 73, GEORGE FOX 61 – Bruins’ Hot Start Fizzles Out in Loss to Eagles

KIRKLAND, Wash. - After exploding to an 11-point lead in the first two-and-a-half minutes, the George Fox University Bruins could not maintain their sizzling start and dropped a 73-61 decision to the Northwest University Eagles in a non-conference men's basketball game Friday night here at the NU Pavilion.

The Bruins were so hot at the start that they even scored two points before the opening tipoff.  Northwest was assessed a technical foul for dunking during warmups, and Stephen Wiseley hit two free throws for George Fox before the clock started.  Greg Peters hit the first basket of the game to tie it for the Eagles, but the Bruins ripped off 11 unanswered points on three-point field goals by Wiseley and Rich Smith, a layup by Evan Atwater, and another three by Smith for a 13-2 lead at 17:24 of the first half.

After a scoreless three minutes, Rich Skillman hit a jumper and Greg Peters dunked to get the Eagles going.  The home team reeled off 12 straight points, capped by a pair of three throws by Skillman, to go ahead 14-13 with 11 minutes remaining.  Alex Stockner halted the Northwest run with a layup as George Fox momentarily regained the lead, only to have the Eagles respond with another streak, this one of nine straight points that finished with two more Skillman free tosses, for a 23-15 lead with 6:27 left.  The Eagles continued to build their lead from there and took a 38-25 advantage into the break after a three by Blake Solomon with eight seconds left. 

Northwest maintained a comfortable lead in the teens for most of the second half as the Bruins struggled to make shots after their early outburst and were out-rebounded 51-37 in the game by the taller Eagles.  The widest gap came with 10:20 left when Stedman Richardson canned two free throws for a 58-37 lead.  The Bruins got within 12 points four times during the half, the last when they closed the game with a 7-0 run.

Smith led all scorers with 18 points and Wiseley added 17 for the Bruins, who shot only .303 (20-66) from the field and .280 (7-25) from three-point range.  Smith had eight rebounds for the Bruins, and Dan Lingenfelder passed out three assists.

Peters paced the Eagles with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Skillman chipped in with 15 points and Solomon added 12.  Greg George also grabbed 11 boards.  Richardson handed out four assists.  The Eagles connected on .443 (27-61) from the field and had five blocked shots. 

NEXT: George Fox (3-4) is off until after Christmas when the Bruins travel to the Midwest for their final two games before Northwest Conference play begins.  On Monday, Dec. 28, the Bruins play at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minn., at 11:00 a.m. Pacific time (1:00 p.m. Central).  On Tuesday, Dec. 29, they cross the Mississippi River to visit the University of Wisconsin-River Falls for a contest at 5:00 p.m. Pacific time (7:00 p.m. Central) ... Northwest (6-4) is back in action Saturday, visiting Pacific Lutheran University for a 7:00 p.m. non-conference clash.