NEWBERG, Ore. --- The George Fox men's basketball team went back-to-back this weekend, as the Bruins baffled the Lutes of Pacific Lutheran, 82-74, Saturday evening in Wheeler Sports Center.

Recap:
The Bruins got it going from the start, as they were red-hot from all areas of the floor. Both teams kept it exciting as they traded baskets for most of the first half. The Bruins slowly started to climb away from the Lutes at the 6:46 mark after Thomas Rico hit back-to-back threes and Mason Green-Richards added a triple to put the Bruins up by seven, 33-26. The Lutes responded with a couple quick buckets, but Rico was unfazed as he hit his fifth and sixth three of the first half to give the Bruins a six point edge, 40-34.

The Bruins closed out the first half with JJ Lacey on the line, extending the lead to nine, 43-34. The lead changed hands six different times and the score was knotted up three times.

The second half became a physical battle in the paint when both teams started to attack the rim off the dribble. The Bruins did a nice job at shutting down any run the Lutes tried to put forth with quick answers on the other end. George Fox managed to even take its first double-digit lead at the 15:58 mark when Jacoby Wolfe made a hard-nosed layup in the paint.

The Lutes would force the fourth tie of the game at the 12:10 mark, but the Bruins maintained the lead with a JJ Lacey three seconds later. The grit and perseverance started to show from the young Bruins squad, as they refused to crack open the door and let the Lutes take over the game. The Lutes did manage to get within one under the two minute mark, but again, Rico responded with anther deep three to land the dagger in the game. The Bruins finished the game from the stripe, hitting four in a row to close out the game, 82-74.

Top Performers:
Rico finished with 27 points, going 8-12 from the 3-piont line, which was one shy of tying the school record set back in 1994 from Nick Haji (9-17). Lacey scored 24 for the Bruins, going 9-15 from the field and 3-4 from the 3-point line. As a team, the Bruins shot 50 percent from both the field and behind the arc.

What It Means:
It means the Bruins start the 2016 season with back-to-back Northwest Conference wins, which is just the second time since head coach Maco Hamilton took over the program in 2013. With newfound life, and a senior-less squad, the Bruins prove to have a very bright future.

What Comes Next:
The Bruins will need to carry over this momentum next week, as they host the No. 2 team in the Northwest Conference and No. 2 team in Div. III. The Bruins will play Whitman on Friday, Jan. 15 at 8:00 p.m., and No. 2 Whitworth on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 4:00 p.m.