By: Ryan Lackey

NEWBERG, Ore. --- JJ Lacey had an efficient game, going 6-11 from the field and racking up 18 points, but the Bruins couldn't overcome a big first-half deficit and lost Saturday night's game to the Lewis & Clark Pioneers, 93-75.

Recap:
The Bruins finished strong, outscoring Lewis & Clark 46-42 in the second half, but a very slow start proved too large a hurdle. Saturday's game saw, really, two different Bruins teams: in the second half, the Bruins knocked down 51% of their shots, but managed just 32% in the first.

Still, as the game unfolded early, the Bruins looked like they meant to challenge. Lacey was active on both ends of the court, and after a Johnathan Doutt jumper the score was a very reasonable 29-20 with seven minutes to play. From there, though, the Pioneers rattled off a 22-9 run, finishing the half with a sizable 51-29 cushion.

Going into the second half, the Bruins knew they needed to score quickly and in bunches. They managed to, tallying 46 points over the second half, but the Pioneers's lead was simply too much to whittle down in one half. The final margin, 18 points, in the 93-75 loss was the closest the Bruins came.

Top Performers:
JJ Lacey again proved his invaluable status for the Bruins. Besides collecting 18 points, Lacey grabbed four rebounds and was perfect from the free-throw line. Willie Perkins was the other Bruin in double figures – he notched 12 points and led the Bruins with five rebounds. Isaac Lee was third with eight points.

What It Means:
The Bruins's overall record stands at 6-15. They've fared better against NWC competition: their conference record is 4-8, and the Bruins remain in ninth.

What Comes Next:
The Bruins travel to Whitworth next Friday.