By: Ryan Lackey

NEWBERG, Ore. --- Despite another tenacious first half, the George Fox University men's basketball team fell to a tenacious comeback by the Willamette University Bearcats, 86-76. The first period of play saw high-class, toe-to-toe basketball, but the Bearcats, despite good defense, found themselves unable to stop the hot-shooting Bruins, whose shots fell at 62% in the first.

Midway through the first, the Bruins saw their lead swell to nine – their largest on the night – but Willamette clawed back to shrink their deficit to two as the halftime buzzer sounded.

In the second half, the red-hot Bruins suddenly couldn't find the basket, and Willamette stormed back, seizing the lead in the second half's infancy and never relinquishing it. The Bruins mounted their own comeback, drawing within four with seven to play, but the Bearcats held on for the victory.

For the Bruins, balance was key offensively. Four starters found themselves in double-digits: JJ Lacey and Johnathan Doutt led with 15, while Jonny Howard chipped in 13 and Eli Graham added 12. Lacey also pulled down seven rebounds, narrowly missing out on another double-double. Doutt dished six assists.

Nico Troplent was the Bearcats' best shooter, going 7-15 for 22 points.

Willamette jumps to 7-13 overall, 5-6 in the Northwest Conference.

Though the Bruins again played impressive team basketball for the game's first half, they see their record fall to 5-15, 3-8 in NWC play.

The Bruins travel to Pacific Lutheran tomorrow night with tip-off at 6:00 p.m.