By: Ryan Lackey

Photo Credit: Shelby Byerly

NEWBERG, Ore. --- Riding JJ Lacey's career-best performance, the Bruins beat Willamette at home on Tuesday night, 85-73, to overtake the Bearcats in the Northwest Conference standings. Lacey shone for the Bruins, netting 28 points over a tireless 29 minutes.

Recap:
The difference on Tuesday was the shooting. After a middling first half, during which they shot 37% from the floor, the Bruins were dialed in, sinking 61% of their shots in the second half and 47% overall, Willamette, meanwhile, was unusually anemic, shooting just 35% and 21% from long-range.

Overall, Willamette led for exactly one minute, but the first half was still close. The Bruins extended their lead to six or seven points, but Willamette consistently closed the gap quickly. With two minutes to go in the first half, two free throws from the Bearcats's Bridger Harlington narrowed the Bruins's lead to three, and then a three from Brendon McCullough tied the game. With seconds left in the first half, though, Ryan Thistlewood cooly sunk two free throws to give the Bruins a lead going into the break.

After halftime, the Bruins came out and immediately rebuilt their cushion. Key points from Thomas Rico and Jacoby Wolfe gave the Bruins a regained sense of momentum, and a strong inside move from Thistlewood extended the Bruins's lead to 12, 58-46, after six minutes of the second half.

With three minutes to go, Willamette slimmed the margin to just five, but steady free-throw shooting from the Bruins blocked the Bearcat comeback, and the Bruins glided through to the 85-73 victory.

Top Performers:
Lacey set a new career high with his 28 points scored on 9-13 shooting. He also led the Bruins with nine rebounds, just missing on his double-double. Isaac Lee scored just two points but was remarkably active in the paint, pulling down eight rebounds in 16 minutes. Johnathan Doutt recorded 12 points, and Jacoby Wolfe added nine.

What It Means:
The Bruins improve to 7-17 overall and 4-11 in the NWC, which moves them above Willamette into eighth.

What Comes Next:
The Bruins close out their regular season schedule at Linfield on Saturday.