NEW HAVEN, Conn. --- The George Fox men's basketball team made its longest scheduled trip of the 2019-20 regular season to face Albertus Magnus College on Friday, Dec. 6, with a 5:00 pm ET tipoff. Both teams used a high-energy attack but the Falcons were able to hit more shots in a 97-82 victory in regulation.

Recap

The Bruins opened the scoring and built an early 10-7 lead with great hustle plays and second efforts from players like JD Ahlstrom, Kalu Stricklin, and Wesley Reynolds as the Falcons did their best to shut off the Bruins' leading scorers, Ryan Lacey and Jackson Januik.

The Falcons came storming back to retake the lead with deep triples and fast-break buckets after forcing a handful of turnovers in the open floor. The Falcons' outside shots started to fall as the Bruins went cold in the middle of the first half and that switch allowed Albertus Magnus to grab a 31-26 lead with just over five minutes remaining in the first stanza.

Both teams played with high energy and effort in the closing minutes of the half but the Falcons hit more shots down the stretch and grabbed a 44-34 lead at the break. Each team made eight turnovers and seven blocks in the opening half – the biggest difference proved to be shooting touch as the Bruins were held to 36% from the field and a frigid 23% from deep in the first half.

Out of the break, the Falcons' lead quickly swelled to a 17-point advantage after the Bruins' shooting woes continued early in the second, but better defense and shot-making allowed George Fox to eat away at that lead.

Januik and Lacey heated up after the 15 minute mark of the second half and the Bruins ripped off an impressive 20-6 scoring run to slash the lead down to just six points with 10 minutes left in regulation, but the Falcons doubled down again with their defensive pressure and effort to pull away once again.

Another Falcon burst of scoring pushed the lead to 15 with 7:25 to play, but a technical foul on the Falcons paired with a Michael Mercado-Smith jumper and a long triple from Januik helped cut away at the lead again. A statement block by Januik and more technical foul shots made it an 11-point deficit with just under five to play, but the Falcons never let off and were able to close out the game with a 97-82 victory in regulation. The Falcons' rebounding and points from the extra chances proved too much for the Bruins' unit to overcome in an intense, physical matchup.

Top Performers

Januik led the way with 22 points after finding his rhythm on offense, going 8-13 form the field and 4-7 from deep with six boards, three dimes, and two blocks. Stricklin and Lacey also reached double figures and racked up 28 points combined, while Reynolds made his presence felt at the rim with five blocks.

What It Means

The Bruins drop to 4-2 overall and are now 1-2 on the year when playing away from the friendly confines of Wheeler Sports Center in Newberg.

What Happens Next

The Bruins will face the St. Joseph Blue Jays at 12:00 pm PT on Saturday, Dec. 7, before returning home for finals week.