WALLA WALLA, Wash. --- George Fox University's men's basketball team showed the true definition of perseverance Saturday evening, as the Bruins battled with Whitman College in a tough 95-83 loss.

The Bruins fall to 5-17 overall and 3-10 in the Northwest Conference, while Whitman improves to 17-5 overall and 11-2 in the NWC.

George Fox jumped out to a quick lead in the opening minutes using its high pressured play to give the Missionaries some trouble. Possession and baskets were traded for most of the first half, as either team could escape each other's presence. Both teams played so fast that the shot clock became useless as shots became quicker and quicker. The Bruins were led by emerging star JJ Lacey, who finished the half with 15 points, going 6-for-9 from the field and 3-for-3 from the deep ball.

The Missionaries went into the break down by nine, 50-41.

In the start of the second half, both teams continued to trade baskets back and forth, but the Bruins weren't able to cut within the eight point deficit set by the Missionaries. It wasn't until the 11:44 mark when Joshua Caddel and Thomas Rico hit back-to-back threes to cut the deficit to four, 64-60.

The Bruins recorded the fifth tie of the game two minutes later when Rico screamed past the defenders for an easy layup, 67-67. The home team responded, though, going on a run of their own and increasing their lead to six, 80-74, with six minutes left to play.

Showing no lack of effort or tenacity, the Bruins continued to fight harder and harder as the game went on. Whitman settled down in the final minutes of the game and increased its lead to 14, 91-77, at the 2:52 mark.

Lacey followed his 25-point game performance the night before with 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the floor and 4-for-5 from the 3-point line. He also added 10 rebounds to record his first double-double of the season. Thomas Rico finished with a career-high 23 points. Johnathan Doutt tied his career-high with 15 points, and Brendin Quinn added 10.  

George Fox will face off against Pacific University next Tuesday, February 17 at 8:00 p.m.