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WHAT’S BRUIN: Men’s Basketball News & Notes 1/13
Links: Quick Facts / Roster / Schedule & Results / Statistics / Press Releases
Multimedia: Live Stats / Video / KFOX Radio
Overall Record: 4-9 (Home 1-2, Road 3-7)
NWC Record: 2-2, 4th T (Home 1-0, Road 1-2)
HIGHLIGHTS:
* Coming Up: Bruins to Host #3 Whitworth, Whitman on Weekend
* Recent Games: Bruins Go 1-1 as Conference Play Resumes
* Wiseley Wins BAA Award, Receives HM for NWC Weekly Honors
* Whitworth Games to be Taylor-Made (or Made-for-Taylors)
* NCAA Stats: Wiseley Ranked 45th Among Leaders in Assists
* NWC Stats: Wiseley Among Top 10 in Six Conference Stats
* Career Lists: Wiseley Remains 2nd on All-Time List in FT Pct.
* Statistician “Biggs” Increases Home Streak to 632 in a Row
* Coming Up: Bruins to Host #3 Whitworth, Whitman on Weekend
- Fri., Jan. 14, 8:00 pm - vs. Whitworth University (13-0, NWC 4-0), Newberg, Ore.
- Sat., Jan. 15, 6:00 pm - vs. Whitman College (8-5, NWC 1-3), Newberg, Ore.
NEWBERG, Ore. – Two of the most prolific offenses in the Northwest Conference pay a visit this weekend as the George Fox Bruins host the undefeated and No. 3-ranked Whitworth Pirates on Friday at 8:00 p.m., and the Whitman Missionaries, the top-scoring team in the NWC at 84.5 points a game, on Saturday at 6:00 p.m.
Both games will be part of NWC doubleheaders, with women’s games at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. The Whitman games have been moved ahead two hours to accommodate the Missionaries’ travel plans for an earlier return home.
Whitworth (13-0, NWC 4-0, 1st): The Pirates from Spokane, Wash., were picked to finish 1st in the NWC pre-season poll, the Bruins to tie for 4th with Whitman and Pacific Lutheran ... Whitworth was ranked 3rd in the D3hoops.com poll of Jan. 11 with 550 points and three first-place votes, the Pirates’ highest ranking ever as a member of the NCAA (the 1995-96 team ended the season ranked No. 2 after a second-place finish in the NAIA National Tournament) ... The Pirates’ 13-0 start equals their best ever ... Whitworth has won 24 straight regular season NWC games and 28 overall counting NWC Tournament games as well ... Last game: The Pirates defeated Puget Sound 72-65 at home on Saturday behind 27 points from Felix Friedt and 21 from Michael Taylor (from Washington) ... The Pirates also have a Michael Taylor from Colorado, and the Bruins have a Mike Taylor from California, so there could be three Mike Taylors on the court at the same time! ... Series record (since 1974): George Fox trails 11-25 (6-11 home, 5-14 road) ... The Pirates have won the last 10 meetings, including three games last year: 75-70 in Spokane on Jan. 9, 98-88 in Newberg on Feb. 6, and 97-75 in Spokane in the finals of the NWC Tournament on Feb. 27 ... The Bruins’ last win in the series was 77-69 in overtime on Dec. 2, 2005, in Newberg ... Whitworth by the numbers: Scoring (82.1, 3rd in the NWC, 35th nationally), Defense (61.1, 1st, 29th nationally), Rebounding (35.5, 7th), FG % (.492, 1st, 20th nationally), 3-pt % (.396, 1st, 33rd nationally), FT % (.753, 2nd, 21st nationally) ... The Pirates lead the nation in fewest turnovers per game (9.5) and are 12th in 3-pointers (9.8) ... The Pirates have four double-figure scorers: G Mike Taylor from Washington (18.0, 3rd in the NWC), F David Riley (16.4, 8th), F Jack Loofburrow (13.2, 18th), C Felix Friedt (12.8, 19th) ... Friedt and Loofburrow are the top rebounders (6.5, 10th and 11th) ... G Wade Gebbers is the assists leader (3.75, 3rd) ... Coach Jim Hayford is 202-55 to date in his 10th season at Whitworth, and 239-82 in his 12th season overall ... Next: Jan. 15 at Willamette, 6 pm.
Whitman (8-5, NWC 1-3, 7th T): The Missionaries from Walla Walla, Wash., were picked to finish in a tie for 4th in the NWC pre-season poll, along with George Fox and Pacific Lutheran ... Last game: Whitman had a six-game winning streak snapped in a 61-57 home loss to PLU on Saturday when the Lutes made 28 free throws to only 13 by the Missionaries ... Series record (since 1971): George Fox leads 25-16 (16-3 home, 9-13 road) ... The teams split last year, the Missionaries winning 90-85 in Walla Walla on Jan. 8, and the Bruins winning 103-90 in Newberg on Feb. 5 for coach Mark Sundquist’s 100th career win ... Whitman by the numbers: Scoring (84.5, 1st in the NWC, 21st nationally), Defense (75.2. 5th), Rebounding (41.5, 1st), FG % (.448, 5th), 3-pt % (.334, 3rd), FT % (.652,8th) ... Whitman is 9th nationally in 3-pointers per game (10.0), 18th in turnover margin (+5.1) and 44th in rebounding margin (+6.0) ... The Missionaries have three double-figure scorers: G Brandon Shaw (14.2, 15th in the NWC), F Peter Clark (11.5, 21st), G Josh Duckworth (11.2, 24th) ... Clark is 21st nationally in 3-pointers per game (3.4) ... F Ryan Gilkey is the top rebounder (6.6, 9th) ... Shaw is the assists leader (3.23, 5th) ... Coach Eric Bridgeland is in his 3rd season at Whitman, and his 11th season overall ... The Missionaries visit Willamette Friday before meeting the Bruins ... Next: Jan. 18 at Whitworth, 8 pm.
Multimedia: George Fox will provide live stats, live internet audio through campus station KFOX radio, and live video streaming through Stretch Internet for all four games this weekend. Links to each are provided above.
Tickets: Ticket prices for basketball games at the Wheeler Sports Center / Miller Gym are $6 for adults and $3 for non-GFU students and seniors 55 and over. Children 6 and under who are not in school are free. George Fox faculty, staff, and students are admitted free with valid GFU ID; the ID covers immediate family members for George Fox employees.
* Recent Games: Bruins Go 1-1 as Conference Play Resumes
Jan. 7 - at Lewis & Clark 80, George Fox 70
Unable to stop the Pioneers’ Kelly Edwards, who scored 36 points, 21 in the second half, the Bruins fell on the road in the resumption of Northwest Conference play. The Bruins rallied from 12 down in the second half to within four with three-and-a-half minutes left before the Pios sealed the game with 1 free throws in the final 1:17. Mike Taylor topped the Bruins with 19 points, followed by Rich Smith with 18, Cole Whitehurst 12, and Stephen Wiseley 11. Whitehurst had a game-high nine rebounds, while Wiseley handed out five assists.
Jan. 8 - at George Fox 71, Pacific 64
Led by Stephen Wiseley’s 25 points, one short of his career high, the Bruins built an 11-point second-half lead and held off the Boxers to win their Northwest Conference home opener. Pacific used an 11-2 run to make it a two-point game with 10 minutes left before the Bruins pulled away for good. Wiseley sank 10-14 field goals, including 5-8 threes, for his game-leading 25, while Rich Smith added 15. Mike Taylor had his first career double-double with 12 points and 10 boards, and Wiseley handed out five assists.
BRUIN BITS:
* Wiseley Wins BAA Award, Receives HM for NWC Weekly Honors
Highlighted by a 25-point game, one point short of equaling his career high, during the Bruins’ 1-1 week, senior point guard Stephen Wiseley of Kirkland, Wash., has been named the Bruin Athletic Association Men’s Athlete of the Week for Jan. 3-9, and also received honorable mention for Northwest Conference Men’s Basketball Student-Athlete of the Week.
In an 80-70 loss at Lewis & Clark on Jan. 7, Wiseley was one of a quartet of Bruins in double figures with 11 points on 3-9 field goals (2-3 on threes) and 3-4 free throws, with 5 assists, a steal and a rebound. In a 71-64 win over Pacific on Jan. 8 in the Bruins’ NWC home opener, he tallied 25 points, 20 in the first half, on 10-14 field goals (5-8 on threes), with 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals. In two games, he totaled 36 points (18.0 ppg) on 13-23 field goals (.565), including 7-11 three-pointers (.636), and 3-4 free throws (.750), with 10 assists (5.0 apg), 5 rebounds (2.50 rpg), and 3 steals (1.50 spg).
Wiseley, an honorable mention All-NWC performer last year, currently ranks 2nd in the NWC in assists (5.17), 4th in free throw pct. (.815), assist/TO ratio (1.24), 6th in steals (1.58), 9th in scoring (15.8), and 10th in 3-pt field goals (1.83). He has been named the BAA Athlete of the Week three times this season, and has been three-time honorable mention for NWC weekly awards.
The Athlete of the Week Award for both men and women is presented throughout the Bruin sports seasons by the Bruin Athletic Association, whose mission is to provide George Fox student-athletes with an outstanding athletic and academic experience and to strengthen the overall competitiveness of the Bruin athletics program. For more information about the organization or to become a member, visit the Bruin Athletic Association website.
* 2010-11 Honors
Cole Whitehurst
- Bruin Athletic Association Athlete of the Week - Nov. 15-21; Dec. 23-Jan. 2
- Northwest Conference Student-Athlete of the Week - HM, Nov. 15-21; HM, Dec. 23-Jan. 2
Stephen Wiseley
- Bruin Athletic Association Athlete of the Week - Nov. 22-28; Dec. 13-22; Jan. 3-9
- Northwest Conference Student-Athlete of the Week - HM, Nov. 22-28; HM, Dec. 13-22; HM, Jan. 3-9
Rich Smith
- Bruin Athletic Association Athlete of the Week - Nov. 29-Dec. 5; Dec. 6-12
- Northwest Conference Student-Athlete of the Week - HM, Nov. 29-Dec. 5; HM, Dec. 6-12
* Whitworth Games to be Taylor-Made (or Made-for-Taylors)
No will be able to tell the Taylors without a scorecard during Friday’s Northwest Conference doubleheader between the George Fox Bruins and the Whitworth Pirates. The George Fox men’s team features Mike Taylor of California, an NCAA Division I transfer from Marist - but Whitworth has TWO Mike Taylors, one from Colorado and one from Washington, the latter also a D-I transfer from Montana. The Whitworth women’s team has Taylor (LaMoreaux) Taylor, who is married to the Mike Taylor from Washington. Keeping statistics at the game will be two George Fox sports information student assistants named Taylor Kanen and Taylor Blair, and Casey Taylor, a member of the Bruins’ track and field team, will be operating the internet video camera. The only Taylor missing will be George Fox director of athletics Craig Taylor, Casey’s father, who is attending the NCAA National Convention in San Antonio, Texas.
* NCAA Stats: Wiseley Ranked 45th Among Leaders in Assists
In NCAA national statistics thru Jan. 11, guard Stephen Wiseley ranked 45th in assists (5.2) ...
* NWC Stats: Wiseley Among Top 10 in Six Conference Stats
- Thru games of Jan. 11, George Fox is 2nd in blocked shots (2.15, T), 3rd in 3-pt field goal pct. defense (.323), 5th in steals (6.85), 6th in defense (78.2), field goal pct. defense (.454), rebounding (35.7), turnover margin (+0.92), assist/TO ratio (0.76), 8th in scoring (69.0), field goal pct. (.406), 7th in 3-pt field goals (5.00), 8th in scoring margin (-9.2), rebounding defense (42.0), rebound margin (-6.3), assists (10.92), 9th in free throw pct. (.651), 3-pt field goal pct. (.259) …
- Stephen Wiseley is 2nd in assists (5.17), 4th in free throw pct. (.815), assist/TO ratio (1.24), 6th in steals (1.58), 9th in scoring (15.8), 10th in 3-pt field goals (1.83)...
- Rich Smith is 4th in blocked shots (0.69, T), 5th in rebounding (7.6), 12th in scoring (15.2), 14th in field goal pct. (.486) …
- Mike Taylor is 3rd in steals (1.77, T), 7th in blocked shots (0.54, T), 8th in rebounding (6.7), 11th in 3-pt field goals (1.77), 11th in scoring (15.5) ...
- Cole Whitehurst is 12th in rebounding (6.4), 23rd in scoring (11.2) …
- Davis Martin is 7th in blocked shots (0.54, T) ...
* Double-Doubles
- Rich Smith: season 2, career 8 - 24 pts, 14 reb at Willamette, 11/30; 17 pts, 12 reb at Chapman, 12/31
- Cole Whitehurst: season 2, career 2 - 12 pts, 14 reb at Corban, 12/20; 15 pts, 13 reb at La Sierra, 12/28
- Mike Taylor: season 1, career 1 - 12 pts/10 reb vs. Pacific, 1/8
* Career Lists: Wiseley Remains 2nd on All-Time List in FT Pct.
- Stephen Wiseley: Wiseley went 3-4 from the free throw line in the Bruins’ two games last week, leaving his career free throw percentage at .865 (134-155), The Northwest Conference leader and ninth nationally in free throw shooting last year (.891), he is 2nd on the all-time Bruin free throw percentage list behind Gary Chenault (.870, 195-224, 1976-79) ...
* Statistician “Biggs” Increases Home Streak to 632 in a Row
With the Bruins’ two games this past week, long-time statistician Mike “Biggs” Wirta extended his streak of George Fox men’s basketball games attended, home and way, to 705 in a row. One of those was a home game against Pacific, giving him 632 straight Bruin home games; he has not missing one since 1972 when he was in military service. In all, he has seen over half of all games ever played by the George Fox men’s team (1,116 of 2,143 for 52.08%) in the 106-plus seasons of Bruin basketball.
* Head Coach Mark Sundquist
Head coach Mark Sundquist (Seattle Pacific ’87) is 107-157 (.405, 56-56 home, 39-87 road, 12-14 neutral) to date in his 11th season at George Fox … He became the second-winningest coach in Bruin history, breaking a tie with Lorin Miller (99-72, 1970-76), when he picked up his 100th coaching win in a 103-90 victory over Whitman at home on Feb. 5, 2010. The all-time leader is Mark Vernon (318-218, 1982-2000) … He was the Northwest Conference Coach of the Year in 2004-05 … … He is 5-16 (3-7 home, 2-9 road) vs. Whitworth, and 11-9 (8-2 home, 3-7 road) vs. Whitman.
