By: Ryan Lackey

McMINNVILLE, Ore. --- The Bruins had four out of their five starts in double-digits – and JJ Lacey, with nine, wasn't far behind – but the Linfield Wildcats shot well to down the Bruins, 82-70, in the final game of the 2015-16 season.

Recap:
The Bruins were certainly egalitarian on Saturday night, spreading the ball around to good effect. And, total rebounds between the two teams were close – 39 to 41 in favor of the Wildcats – and the Bruins committed fewer turnovers. Even bench points were neck-and-neck: the Bruins's 12 to Linfield's 13.

The difference, then, was in the shooting. The Bruins shot a middling 38% from the floor and an uncharacteristically languid 25% from three, while the Wildcats were more accurate, making almost 44% of their shots.

This disparity was present early on. Though the Bruins were never in danger of being routed, they also never led, and Linfield managed to maintain a modest cushion. Midway through the first half, Jacoby Wolfe made a tough jumper to bring the Bruins within two, and then freshman Ryan Thistlewood buried a deep three to tie the game at 22-22. The Bruins seemed poised to take the lead, but the Wildcats came back to regain a 31-24 lead.

Five points from Thomas Rico helped the Bruins tighten the gap to 33-31, but a 9-0 run to close the half meant Linfield held a 42-31 lead at the break.

The Bruins were never quite so close again. Early in the second, the lead ran out to 53-38 before a critical three from Johnathan Doutt stopped Linfield's run. But as the second half progressed, the Bruins were never able to score in bunches, and they only came within single digits when Lacey dropped in a free throw to make the score 69-60 with four to play.

A late run gave the Bruins some hope, but time expired to give Linfield an 82-70 victory.

Top Performers:
Doutt and Willie Perkins led the Bruins with 13 points on a night the scoring was diffused throughout the starting five. Perkins also had six rebounds, but Jacoby Wolfe led on the boards with nine. Wolfe also had 12 points and two blocks. Thomas Rico chipped in 11 points, and Lacey had nine.

What It Means:
The Bruins complete their NWC schedule with a 4-12 conference record in ninth place. Their mark is 7-18 overall.

What Comes Next:
The Bruins look forward to fine-tuning their systems and regrouping for a march on the NWC title next season.