NEWBERG, Ore. --- George Fox University's men's basketball team kept it exciting Friday night, as the Bruins fell in a close battle to Whitman College, 83-78.

It was a low scoring affair in the opening minutes, as both teams struggled to maintain control of the ball. The score widened in favor of the Missionaries after a 6-0 run with 10 minutes left before half, 26-12. George Fox responded with a run of its own cutting the lead to seven at the 5:05 mark, 35-28.

Whitman went into the break up by 13, 48-35.

In the second half it was the Bruins turn to take control as they slowly started to open up the door against the Missionaries. The lead was cut to three, 54-51, after George Fox went on a 16-6 run in the first eight minutes of the half.

The fans started to whoop and holler when Johnathan Doutt hit a deep three to bring the Bruins within two, 56-54. The Missionaries did everything in their power to hold off the Bruins, but the crowd erupted at the 8:35 mark when Chris Stanfield made a layup to give the Bruins their first lead of the game, 65-64. Miller Gymnasium then started to shake 12 seconds later when a Mack Bertram steal led to a JJ Lacey fast break layup to give the Bruins their largest lead, 67-64.

Whitman then mustered up one more rally and regained control of the lead at the 4:09 mark with a 7-point lead, 76-69. The Bruins made it interesting with 25 seconds left on the game clock when Doutt struck again with another big three, 80-78. The Bruins wouldn't be able to overcome the free throw game, as the Missionaries spent their time there for the remainder of the game.

Jonny Howard had a stellar performance going 10-for-11 from the field, 2-for-2 from the 3-point line and 5-for-5 from the free throw line. He recorded 27 points and five rebounds on the night. Doutt finished with 13 and JJ Lacey had 10 points with three assists. Eli Graham was one rebound shy of a double-double with 12 points and nine boards. Andrew Smith had a game-high four assists.

The Bruins fall to 4-10 on the season and 2-3 in the Northwest Conference.

George Fox will host Whitworth University tomorrow afternoon at 6:00 p.m.