Box Score By: Ryan Lackey
NEWBERG, Ore. – George Fox University's men's basketball team defeated the California Tech Beavers on Friday night, 99-96, in the teams' first ever meeting and the Bruins' home opener.
Starting a fast, young lineup, the Bruins played with three guards for most of the game and established an electrified pace, employing a full-court press Cal Tech found difficult to break.
Junior guard Mitchell Rettmann was a spark for the Bruins offensively, flying into the lane to the rim or to distribute – he nearly grabbed a double-double, finishing with 19 points and 9 assists, both career highs. He also added two rebounds and four steals in an all-around performance.
"I'm just doing what my team needs me to do," said Rettmann. "Responding to adversity in the second half was what this game was all about."
"We got the pace the way we wanted it," said head coach Maco Hamilton. "The guys did great holding on late and executing."
The Bruins' backcourt harassed Cal Tech ball handlers from the inbound pass, working an intricate system of rotation, cutting off passing lanes and outlets. By maintaining their frantic energy with frequent substitutions, the Bruins forced errant passes and turnovers, including a cluster ten minutes before halftime, totaling seven takeaways and two steals in the first half.
Jonny Howard, a senior guard, proved a deadly sharpshooter from long range. Each of Howard's five made shots in the first half were three-pointers, and Howard's 15 points led the Bruins after the first period of play. Rettmann and freshman Brendin Quinn added six apiece.
Though freshman Thomas Rico nailed a three with three minutes left to put the Bruins ahead at 41-40, Cal Tech led at half, 53-49.
George Fox gained ground early in the second half, snagging a few turnovers from the reenergized press. The Bruins seized the lead on a three, 70-69, after a back-and-forth beginning to the second half, then immediately forced a turnover and scored another quick two points.
Though Cal Tech surged late, the Bruins held the lead through the game's closing minutes to the 99-96 final on sealing free throws from Rettmann and Rico.
Howard led the Bruins' scoring with 24 points and nailed six of eight attempted threes. The Bruins out-shot the Beaver from long range, 52% to 37%, and from the line, 85% to 76%.
J.J. Lacey was the other Bruin in double-digits, contributing 15 points. Not to be overlooked in the Bruins' speedy system, center Chris Stanfield was emphatic in the post, going a perfect 3-3 from the floor for nine points and grabbing three rebounds.
Lawrence Lee's double-double paced the Beavers with 38 points and ten rebounds.
As a team the Bruins had seven steals and two blocks.
The Bruins have excelled offensively this season, scoring over 300 points combined in their first three games with an average of 104 points.
"Pace is everything, really," Rettmann remarked. "If we have good pace, we get open looks."
With the win, the Bruins improve to 2-1 on the year and next play Northwest University on Saturday at 7:00pm. The Bruins will open conference play on January 2nd at Linfield.
