MCMINNVILLE, Ore. --- George Fox University started the New Year off with a bang Friday night, as the Bruins defeated Linfield College, 73-66.

The Bruins improve to 3-7 on the season and 1-0 in conference play.

The first half was filled with excitement and physical play as both teams traded points back and forth. The Bruins kicked it up a notch with a full court press that gave the Wildcats some trouble forcing them to cough up the ball 10 times. Although the Bruins only recorded three steals in the half, the Bruins covered the passing lanes and forced errant passes.

The teams went into intermission with George Fox leading, 33-27.

The second half was stagnate, as both teams went scoreless in the opening three minutes. The score would finally move after Wildcat' Jordan Clark made a basket in the paint. The tough nosed defense would continue to cause problems for both teams as another minute ran off the clock before a Wildcat' three.

Thomas Rico would respond right after with a three of his own to give George Fox its first basket of the half. Nearly five minutes ran off the clock before the Bruins got on the board. Rico caught fire nailing his second three of the half 34 seconds later.  The lead increased for the Bruins to 42-38 after Brendin Quinn added a three of his own.

Both teams would trade points back and forth for the remainder of the game, and the Wildcats got within one in the final minute twice. George Fox would hold on and sink a dagger with 21 second left when Rico hit his fifth and final three.

Rico finished with a career-high 17 points on 5-for-6 shooting from 3-point land. Jonny Howard added 14, while Chris Stanfield put up a season-high 12 points.

The Bruins will host Puget Sound tomorrow evening at 6:00 p.m. in Wheeler Sports Complex.