Photo Taken By: Jake Ryan 

NEWBERG, Ore. --- Over 600 people witnessed one of the greatest basketball games played this season in Miller Gymnasium Friday night, as the George Fox men's basketball team went toe-to-toe with the Boxers of Pacific University in a thrilling 2OT victory, 108-101.

Recap:
The beginning of the game was all Boxers, as they jumped out to a seven point lead after seven minutes of play, 13-6. The Bruins wouldn't let that stand, though, as they cut the deficit and forced the third tie of the game at the 9:26 mark after Thomas Rico knocked down the 12ft jumper. The fourth tie of the game came moments later when Rico again answered for the Bruins with a deep three, 24-24. Both teams traded baskets for the remainder of the first half, but it was the Bruins who pulled away going into the stretch with another Rico three to close out the half, 39-33.

The score was tied six times and the lead changed hands five times throughout the first half.

After the break, the Bruins were able to keep the Boxers at bay for a bit, but that wouldn't last long, as the seventh tie came at the 15:59 mark. The margin never grew above three points from the 12:32 mark to the 7:07 mark, as both teams didn't give up an inch.

As time started to wind down, and both teams came down the stretch, it was clear this game was going to come down to the final moments. At the 1:35 mark, Boxer' Michael Joseph made a pair at the free throw line to bring the game within one, 75-74, but JJ Lacey came rushing down the court and hit the jumper to push the lead back to three, 77-74. Again, it was Joseph making back-to-back layups to give the Boxers a one point advantage, 77-78. With less than thirty seconds left, Lacey made another nice move and finished at the rim to regain the Bruins' lead, 79-78. A tough foul was called on Jacoby Wolfe with four seconds left, and Skyler Burgess was sent to the free throw line to give the Boxers a chance. Burgess made his first, but missed his second to send the game into overtime.

The Boxers came out swinging in the first OT, jumping out to a seven point lead with six straight points, 82-89. George Fox settled in and Ryan Thistlewood made a nice layup to spark some momentum for the Bruins, 84-89. With 26 seconds left and the Boxers up by three it was do or die time for the Bruins, and right on cue Rico responded knocking down a three from NBA range to put the Bruins down by one, 89-90. The Boxers went to the free throw line again after a quick foul, but again, they went 1-2 from the line to give the Bruins a chance. Rico came storming down the court and slashed by a defender to make the layup to force another overtime.

The Bruins were well prepared for the second OT, as the tables had turned, and this time it was their turn to jump out to a seven point lead, 102-95. The Boxers did everything in their power to claw at the lead, but the resilient Bruins didn't move an inch, keeping the Boxers at an arm's length.  Johnathan Doutt sealed the deal for the Bruins on the free throw line, going 2-2 to end the game.

Top Performers:
Rico went 12-23 from the field and 7-10 from the 3-point line to finish with a career-high 34 points. Lacey added 19, while Johnathan Doutt contributed 17. Chris Felder also had a nice game, putting up a career-high 15 points for the freshman --- all 15 of his points came from the free throw line (5-7). He also added four assists and two steals.

What It Means:
With the win, the Bruins improve to 6-12 on the season and 3-6 in the Northwest Conference. The Boxers fall to 9-9 on the season and 3-6 in the NWC. The Bruins are now in a five-way tie for fifth place in the NWC.

What Comes Next:
The Bruins will have little rest, as they head up to Puget Sound on Saturday to play the Loggers at 6:00 p.m.